Implementation Strategies for Distributed Modeling and Simulation of Building Systems

This paper describes implementation strategies for external coupling of distributed building system component models. This approach differs from the traditional way of developing software, where additional models are added by incorporating new modules in an existing program. This results in a simulation environment that is more flexible, practical, and powerful than the sum of the individual software programs. This paper presents the most recent results of an ongoing project that focuses on developments and implementation of the approach. The realization of the first prototype, i.e. the coupling mechanism, is discussed in detail. This paper concludes with a case study that highlights the necessity and potential of the approach.