The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) for Energy Management

Abstract

In Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) organisations that use GIS, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a growing area of interest. BIM and GIS have enormous potential for assessing and improving energy management. In the context of energy management, GIS is used by building owners and managers to act like a ¿geographic window¿ into the data that exists in other systems. BIM provides the physical and functional detail that is not available in GIS. GIS places facilities within an existing context while BIM¿s focus is much more specific within a facility context (Przybyla, 2010). Enhancing the interoperability between GIS and BIM greatly increases the value of GIS to support the energy managers. The aim of this project is to use the GIS-BIM combination to assess and improve energy management at Cranfield University by reviewing existing BIM initiatives for energy management and its application at a company/organisation scale, evaluating the data currently available in the estates department to identify a suitable data model for energy management; then create a BIM data model and a GIS tool for energy management and evaluate its success and usefulness. The data model developed will eventually allow the university to manage their buildings, estates and surrounding environments in a more energy efficient way, however it was not possible to apply a complete BIM model to the Cranfield University case because an implementation of a full BIM model for energy management will require a complete collection of data which was not possible to achieve within this project¿s time. The GIS tool created enables the interested parties to perform a spatial and temporal analysis of electricity, gas and oil usage, along with CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions.