Developing reference building models for the non-residential sector to support public policies in Brazil

This study introduces a methodology to develop reference building models for energy simulations in non-residential building sector in Brazil. The method uses data from national energy efficiency regulations and research projects to model thermal properties, internal gains, schedules of operation, HVAC systems, and geometries obtained from representative archetypes. These reference models represent typical characteristics of the Brazilian commercial building stock and are designed to assist in predicting energy consumption and support the Brazilian Building Energy Labeling Program. Benchmarks for thermal loads and electricity end-uses were calculated and compared across building types in Brazil, revealing significant variations in performance. Generalization analysis of the models showed the relevance of building orientation and operational schedules on energy use, highlighting their importance in the analysis. Reference building energy use intensity (EUI) was also compared with actual data from the Brazilian building stock, demonstrating that most reference models have a higher EUI than the average but remain below maximum values. This work fills a gap in the development of reference buildings for the non-residential sector in Brazil, offering validated models that can be applied in energy planning and used to evaluate the impact of new technologies in specific building types.