Trial / Demo
The IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) enabled GreenJump Sustainability to accurately model, optimise, and validate a number of high-performance design strategies for its Taipei headquarters.
Through dynamic simulation, the team demonstrated 20% predicted energy savings, later verified by post-occupancy data. The project officially achieved LEED Platinum certification, confirming both the accuracy of IESVE’s predictive modelling and the building’s outstanding real-world performance.
GreenJump Sustainability, a consultancy specialising in sustainable architecture, designed its Taipei headquarters with the ambition to achieve LEED Platinum certification while demonstrating tangible, measurable energy performance.
Using IESVE, GreenJump simulated, analysed, and refined a series of energy-saving measures that targeted lighting systems, HVAC efficiency, and envelope performance. The integrated software allowed the team to evaluate all aspects of building performance, from load calculations and daylight availability to LEED energy point potential, all within a single platform.
Dynamic Simulation Approach
GreenJump’s consulting team utilised ModelIT, Apache, ApacheHVAC, and VistaPro to develop detailed dynamic simulations of the proposed design.
The ASHRAE 90.1 Navigator streamlined LEED energy modelling and compliance documentation, while ApacheHVAC templates accelerated system setup and scenario testing. This integrated environment enabled efficient iteration between design decisions and performance validation, eliminating the need for multiple tools or external spreadsheets.
Using IESVE, the team could:
- Quantify potential energy, carbon, and cost savings under LEED
- Assess daylighting impacts alongside artificial lighting efficiency
- Visualise thermal comfort and unmet hours to inform envelope design
- Produce LEED-compliant ASHRAE Appendix G reports for final submission
Key Energy-Saving Strategies
Three core strategies were central to the building’s performance, each simulated and validated using IESVE before being integrated into the final design:
1. High-Efficiency Lighting Design
LED lighting was installed throughout the office, and ambient lighting levels were reduced to lower Lighting Power Densities (LPD). Combined with daylight sensors, this strategy achieved 27.8% lighting energy savings. IESVE simulations quantified the daylight contribution and verified compliance with visual comfort and energy standards.
2. Efficient HVAC Systems
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems classified as Level 1 under Taiwan’s Bureau of Energy Labelling System were implemented. Leveraging inverter-driven fans and part-load optimisation, the VRF system achieved up to 60% HVAC energy savings. Using ApacheHVAC, GreenJump simulated realistic operating profiles to capture the efficiency gains and confirm overall system performance.
3. High-Performance Envelope
The office occupies a floor within a Gold-rated EEWH building, featuring an energy-efficient façade compliant with local green standards. Glazing with a U-value of 1.77 W/m²K and solar control (SC) 0.33 reduced solar gains and improved occupant comfort. IESVE’s envelope and shading analysis tools were used to assess glazing performance and balance daylighting with heat load reduction.
Two years into operation, measured energy data from the building’s management system demonstrated strong alignment with IESVE simulation results.
Results
The IESVE model demonstrated a 20% energy improvement over the ASHRAE 90.1 baseline, a performance later verified through actual energy consumption data. The project achieved 23 points under LEED’s Optimize Energy Performance credit, contributing to its LEED Platinum certification.
Performance verification showed:
- Measured energy use closely matched simulation outputs
- Lighting and HVAC savings aligned with predicted results
- Carbon and energy cost reductions consistent with LEED modelling
These outcomes validated both the design’s inherent efficiency and the precision of the IESVE dynamic simulation workflow.
Why IESVE?
GreenJump selected IESVE for its integrated workflow, modelling transparency, and robust LEED support. The platform’s ability to combine energy modelling, daylighting, and HVAC simulation within one environment reduced duplication of effort and improved overall accuracy.
“The most valuable aspect of IESVE is its clear workflow and versatile simulation capabilities. It provides an integrated platform for multiple analyses, and the ASHRAE Appendix G Navigator makes it efficient to generate and compare baseline and proposed models, saving time and enhancing precision.”
GreenJump Cyber Sense Team
