Urban building energy modeling and retrofit design as a means to inform effective public policy : Boston case study

Abstract

Residential buildings use upwards of 20% of the total energy consumed annually in the United States. This, coupled with the desire to reduce overall utility costs and improve occupant comfort on the part of residents, places cities, as the main catalyst for local energy policy, at the forefront of the drive for a more sustainable built environment. This thesis seeks to explore the potential savings associated with energy retrofits in selected neighborhoods in the city of Boston, by developing a comprehensive urban energy model and implementing two retrofit strategies. As part of the methodology, this thesis will combine GIS data with building construction, use, and equipment data to develop a quick, accurate, and adaptable energy simulation model. By combining the findings of the simulation with socio-economic indicators such as income level and ownership type, this thesis will examine how to best implement the selected building retrofit strategies. Of particular interest, is the idea of an annual adoption rate for a particular strategy and the perceived effects of socio-economic indicators on the actual adoption. Ultimately, the findings of this thesis will enable a thoughtful discussion of the effective implementation of public policy and serve as a guide for further investigations focusing on the demographics of urban energy use.