What the Project Is
GreenspaceLive is an energy engineering, consulting, and software services company specializing in innovative energy systems and building simulation. Recognized globally as a leader, GreenspaceLive provides powerful solutions to complex energy problems. The company supports green buildings, PassivHaus, LEED™, BREEAM™, renewable energy systems, HVAC systems, electric and heat batteries, natural ventilation, wind and solar district heating systems, phase-change materials, vehicle-to-building (V2B) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, hydrogen power, cogeneration systems, and much more. Born out of eight years of research and development, and as the first spin-out from the University of the Highland and Islands in April 2012, this innovative company has maintained its reputation for excellence in energy modeling and simulation. It really is a fascinating journey… where rigorous science meets creative engineering.
Main Benefit
- Green buildings, PassivHaus, LEED™, and BREEAM™ solutions for sustainable design.
- Complete building simulation that models energy, carbon, water use, and detailed cost estimates.
- Optimized design procedures using EnergyPlus – the global standard – as part of the gEnergy platform.
- Interoperability with industry tools like Autodesk Revit, Trimble SketchUp, and many more BIM packages.
- Outstanding features in gModeller for Trimble SketchUp, including auto-conversion into gbXML and EnergyPlus IDF.
- Dynamic cloud-based simulation that promises one of the fastest EnergyPlus analysis engines available.
Building Simulation and Environmental Transformation
The project harnesses the power of building simulation and environmental transformation with an impressively integrated approach. GreenspaceLive’s gEnergy platform enables engineers, architects, and researchers to simulate complete building environments—from energy consumption profiles to water use analysis, and even carbon and cost estimations. It utilizes NREL’s EnergyPlus, ensuring that the simulation is built on one of the most robust platforms in the world. In addition, the company has developed rich energy and carbon economics solutions covering utility tariff modeling, renewable incentives, lifecycle costs, and weather modeling. This combination not only optimizes building design but also transforms how energy and carbon economics are analyzed and implemented across scales ranging from single buildings to entire cities.
Smart Energy Solutions and Global Collaboration
With a decade-long involvement in research projects across Scotland, the UK, and Europe, this project is much more than just a simulation tool. It represents a strategic alliance with leading industry firms, national labs, commercial companies, research organizations, utilities, non-profits, architects, and universities. Such collaborations ensure that every solution is backed by the latest research and remains relevant to the ever-changing market demands. It’s a dynamic nexus of academic brilliance and industry practicality that keeps the innovation engine running smoothly… often in ways that seem almost ahead of their time.
Cloud-Based Simulation and Analysis
Dynamic building simulation has moved to the cloud, and GreenspaceLive is leading the charge. With the gEnergy platform, building simulation is not confined to a single desktop—it is accessible from integrated desktop, browser, or even mobile platforms. Customers using gEnergy can enjoy cloud stored model backups and versioning, automated model surfacing and spacing, and the security of online project data storage. The platform allows the use of existing EnergyPlus IDF files and ensures that collaborative work including training and support happens seamlessly online. Designed for speed and efficiency, this dynamic simulation platform harnesses the full power of EnergyPlus on the web, enabling real-time energy modeling that feels almost like magic.
Advanced Modeling with gModeller for Trimble SketchUp
The gModeller extension for Trimble SketchUp introduces a revolutionary approach to the modeling process. By converting SketchUp models into gbXML or EnergyPlus IDF formats using auto-conversion tools, the extension paves the way for more detailed energy analysis. Once converted, models can be analyzed directly with the cloud energy analysis engine or sent to alternative downstream analysis tools. The features include automated model surfacing and spacing and secure cloud model backups, making it a robust tool for anyone in the building design industry. This seamless integration radically improves the workflow, so details are never lost and analysis becomes a breeze… even when facing the most complex modeling challenges.
Project Impact
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Empowering sustainable energy solutions for buildings.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Pioneering advanced simulation platforms and energy modeling.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Facilitating smart, energy-efficient designs for modern urban environments.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Supporting initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy systems.
Future Directions and Research Collaborations
The project’s journey continues with a focus on rapid, intelligent optimization of lifecycle carbon, energy, and cost for construction projects, as exemplified by initiatives like Rapieres ECCOlab. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the technology remains on the cutting edge, continually adapting as new research emerges and customer needs evolve. The company continues to build upon its rich research legacy with ongoing projects and collaborations across international borders. With its roots grounded in rigorous research and its eyes firmly on the future, the project embodies a commitment to pushing technological boundaries while staying attuned to practical, real-world challenges. It’s a blend of passion, innovation, and careful planning, ensuring that sustainable construction projects perform at their absolute best… all while fostering an ecosystem of global collaboration and continuous improvement.
