SimStadt 2.0

SimStadt is the name of an urban simulation environment developed at HFT and of a project of the same name, which in turn is the continuation of a project completed in 2015 (SimStadt). SimStadt in its current stage of development is able to use data of a real urban planning situation or planning state for energy analyses of buildings, city quarters, whole cities and even regions. The application scenarios range from high-resolution simulations of building heating requirements and potential studies for photovoltaics to the simulation of building refurbishment and renewable energy supply scenarios. Thus SimStadt is able to accompany e.g. architects, engineering offices, urban planners and municipalities substantially in integrated planning processes and for the definition of measures towards a sustainable (re)design of buildings and quarters.

The aim of the project, which was started in 2017, is to further develop the platform of the same name, among other things by adding further simulation scenarios. In addition, the project also aims at decentralized processing of the simulations, which is based on modern web services. By using physical models for buildings, energy systems and (heat) distribution networks, it should be possible to make reliable statements about development scenarios for urban districts, municipalities and regions. The case studies in Mainz, Rüsselsheim and Stuttgart contributed by the practice partners are of great importance for the validation of the simulation results; especially in the planned area in Stuttgart-Feuerbach direct implications for the further energetic planning of the quarter by the Stuttgart public utility company are expected.

In close partnership between the HFT Competence Centres zafh.net and ZGG and with practice partners, the process of energetic neighbourhood simulation in SimStadt will be tested using the above-mentioned case studies as an example, validated by measurement data and further developed. As a result, a user-friendly, largely integrated and web-based overall process as well as new analysis methods can be expected. All partners work closely together on an interdisciplinary basis. Larger meetings, whether virtual or personal, are often used for agile work on the case studies, similar to a hackathon.

Acknowledgement

Many thanks to Matthias Betz from ZGG and Kai Brassel from Hamburg for their support in software development. The SimStadt 2.0 project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) under the funding code 03ET1459A.