The GRIHA Council is set to conduct a two-day Building Energy Simulation Workshop on 18 and 19 September 2026, aimed at providing architecture, engineering and building-science professionals and students with practical skills in whole-building energy simulation and performance-based design evaluation.
Titled “Building Energy Simulation Workshop: From First Principles in EnergyPlus to Hands-on Design Evaluation on GRIHA Benchmarks,” the in-person programme combines lectures, live demonstrations and a hands-on studio. The workshop is designed to make building energy simulation more accessible to participants who may have encountered the subject academically but have limited practical experience. The programme specifically states that no prior exposure to simulation software is required.
From Building Physics to EnergyPlus Modelling
The first day focuses on the fundamentals of building energy simulation and the complete EnergyPlus modelling workflow. Participants will be introduced to heat transfer, building physics, climate zones, weather data and thermal comfort before moving into the anatomy of a whole-building energy model.
The programme will explain how EnergyPlus, the open-source simulation engine developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, is used to model building performance. Sessions will cover thermal zoning and geometry, walls and roofs, glazing parameters such as U-factor and SHGC, window-to-wall ratio, shading devices, occupancy, lighting and equipment loads, schedules, infiltration, ventilation and HVAC systems.
Participants will also learn how simulation is connected to green building certification, including the use of Energy Performance Index (EPI), benchmarks, baseline and proposed designs, and the interpretation of energy-use results. The programme also highlights common modelling pitfalls and the documentation required for appraisal.
Hands-On Evaluation Through B.I.G
The second day shifts from simulation fundamentals to practical design evaluation through the Building Investment Grader (B.I.G.). The browser-based application is introduced as a tool that converts design inputs into a complete EnergyPlus model and evaluates the resulting design against GRIHA benchmarks.
The day begins with live demonstrations covering project setup, climate selection, floor-plan-first geometry, envelope and glazing definition, shading, internal loads, schedules and HVAC selection. Participants will then see how a design can be evaluated against GRIHA benchmarks and how “what-if” analysis can be used to assess design improvements in real time.
A dedicated hands-on studio from 2:00 pm to 3:45 pm will allow participants to model a sample design brief on their own laptops, with mentoring support. The workshop will conclude with participants presenting their evaluations and discussing the relationship between design decisions and energy performance.
Who Can Attend?
The workshop is intended for professionals and practitioners from consulting and industry seeking practical grounding in simulation-based design evaluation for GRIHA projects. It is also open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from architecture, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, building science, energy and allied disciplines.
According to the programme document, participants are not required to have previous experience with simulation software. However, a laptop with an up-to-date web browser is essential for the Day 2 hands-on studio. Registered participants will receive pre-read material and a sample design brief ahead of the programme.
Programme Structure
Day 1 – Foundations & the EnergyPlus Modelling Workflow
- Fundamentals of Building Energy Simulation
- Simulation in the Certification Context
- Envelope, Shading & Internal Gains
- Exterior Loads, Infiltration, HVAC & Results
- Day-end Q&A and wrap-up
Day 2 – From Engine to Application
- B.I.G. live demonstration and building setup
- Loads, HVAC and GRIHA evaluation
- Hands-on modelling studio
- Results presentation and open discussion
- Careers in energy modelling and the GRIHA certification pathway
- Valedictory session and certificate distribution
The organisers describe the programme as a studio-scale batch, with limited seats intended to maintain a participant-to-mentor ratio conducive to individual attention. Participants completing the programme will receive a Certificate of Participation from the GRIHA Council.
Workshop Details
Event: Building Energy Simulation Workshop 2026
Organiser: GRIHA Council
Dates: 18–19 September 2026
Mode: In-person — lectures, live demonstrations and hands-on training
Venue: TERI Seminar Hall, India Habitat Centre, as stated in the programme document
Registration: www.grihaindia.org
Requirement: Laptop with an up-to-date web browser for the hands-on studio
Join our WhatsApp Channel for fastest updates: Join now
