Global Sensitivity Analysis applied to a dynamic energy simulation model: the case study of UniZEB prototype building

Nowadays, due to the growing interest in improving building energy performance, energy models and simulation tools offer new chances to manage the increasing complexity of environments such as nearly Zero- Energy Buildings and Smart Buildings. These tools enable the acceleration of innovation cycles, rapidly exploring new solutions that range from the use of ground source to air source heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, and controlled mechanical ventilation to building automation and HVAC system control. In this scenario, it becomes relevant to define the importance of model inputs and their interactions with respect to the outputs of the model. This paper presents a Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) of the TRNSYS-based dynamic model of an nZEB Living-Lab at the University of Padova (Italy). GSA, and in particular the application of the Morris method, provides an overall view of the influence of inputs on outputs, as all the model input factors are varied simultaneously, and the sensitivity is evaluated over the entire range of each input factor.