Tools developed in CSIRO for building design and thermal performance evaluation

In Australia, residential buildings accounted for about 20-30% of the total electricity consumption and 30-50% of the total peak demand. The residential sector is considered as one of the fastest growing GHG emission sources and considered as the ‘lowest hanging fruit’ for carbon mitigation. It also plays a key role for the management of peak demand of the grid. Starting from 1950s, scientists from CSIRO have been developing methodology and models (tools) to simulate building performance, particularly for residential buildings, including AccuRate for residential building thermal performance design and energy star rating, AusZEH design tool for overall residential building energy design and retrofit. In this study we will give a review of these tools, including the ideas and methodology behind the development of the tools. The validations and case study of the tools will also be presented. Originality - A brief review of tools developed in CSIRO for building performance simu-lation.