# Building Information Modelling and Energy Simulation for Architecture Design
## 4 Short Review on Existing Tools
### Selection Criteria and Choice of Software  
The criterion that led to the choice of the specific software is based on the following characteristics:  
* Versatility, i.e., the presence of integrated functions that allow BIM modelling and BEM modelling; the software for BIM modelling can be combined with a well-integrated plug-in for energy analysis. In this way, it is possible to import and export building 2D drawings, BIM modelling and 3D visualization, quasi-static energy diagnosis, dynamic energy diagnosis, calculation of thermal bridges, and calculation of renewable energy sources. The importance of this parameter is given by the significant limitation of errors and simplifications that may arise from the management of the model with different software;
* certification: The BIM software must meet the validity requirements required by buildingSMART for IFC certification;
* in compliance with standards: The software or plug-in for energy analysis meets the requirements of the most advanced energy diagnosis standards, such as UNI EN ISO 52016-1 [41] for the calculation in dynamic hourly regime, and ASHRAE 140-2017 [32] and UNI/TS 11300 [35] on the monthly average stationary calculation. The following table shows the BIM and BEM software and plug-ins already mentioned in the previous paragraph. For each of them, the greater or lesser compliance with the criteria described above is reported. Table 1 shows the comparison of the eight examined software. The first important difference concerns the IFC certifications. Indeed, it can be seen that only the BIM software combined with the plug-in has the third requirement (e.g., the buildingSMART certification). The stand-alone BEM software, even if equipped with tools for the construction of a BIM model, cannot match the software dedicated to BIM in terms of functions, interoperability, and complexity. The adoption of the BIM Software + plug-in combination can guarantee a faster workflow. It is free from possible simplifications or misinterpretations of the data, resulting from exporting to external software from a different software house. Moreover, regarding the compliance of the software with the parameter relating to compliance with current legislation, many of them do not operate according to the Italian guidelines for stationary and dynamic calculation. Nevertheless, the 8 software examined comply (except for Allplan) with the ASHRAE 140-2007 standards relating to the validity of the calculation adopted. This does not mean that the calculation tools are wrong, but that these programs can only be used for energy diagnosis. For the compilation of energy performance certificates (APE) and other certification documents, different software has to be used. From the examination of these two parameters, the choice can be restricted to a more limited number of software. The BIM + plug-in software solutions that meet the requirements include:  
* Termus (even if the latter is not really a plug-in but a program to complement the first and completely compatible), which allows you to produce documents valid in Italy;
* ArchiCAD + Ecodesigner STAR and Revit + Energy Analysis, which have a similar range of features, but do not produce documents conforming to Italian standards. Among the stand-alone plug-in, TermoLOG appears to be the more complete than the competitors Design Builder, Open Studio, and Simergy, based on the EnergyPlus calculation engine, and therefore quite similar. Therefore, the main parameter to choose it is the versatility, or the presence of all functions in a single work environment, in order to limit the use of other software. The versatility suggested adopting an integrated BIM + BEM plug-in solution. It offers a much larger package of features and greater interoperability than the stand-alone solution offered by TermoLOG. Furthermore, Revit + Energy Analysis package is not the best choice according to its versatility. Indeed, it needs to be accompanied by other plug-ins (such as Insight for solar analysis) to work.