What are the best ways to network, learn, and build expertise in building performance simulation?
-Seeking Growth
Dear Seeking,
No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, it’s always good to stay up to date on where the best resources are and how you can grow as a professional. My objective in this Ask-A-Modeler column is to provide some direction as to where I’ve found the best resources and where I’ve had the most growth in my ~4 years as a graduated building performance simulation professional.
Networking
Networking isn’t just about shaking hands at conferences – it’s about finding a community where you can exchange knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and keep up with evolving best practices and innovations. Here’s where I think you should be looking in 2025:
- IBPSA (International Building Performance Simulation Association) – shameless plug – but if you’re serious about this field, IBPSA is a must. Regional chapters host meetups, and the Building Simulation conference is an excellent event to meet like-minded folks at.
- Hackathons & Competitions – Events like the DOE’s Solar Decathlon, IBPSA’s HackSimBuild, and AECTech’s hackathon are great ways to test your skills, work with others, and gain recognition in the field. I participated in HackSimBuild last year and will certainly be doing it again.
- Conferences & Summits – Keep an eye out for events like Greenbuild, SimBuild, and ACEEE Summer Study. These conferences are excellent for staying current on general sustainability trends and networking.
- LinkedIn Groups & Slack Channels – LinkedIn or dedicated Slack groups for energy modelers are super active for discussions, job postings, and general problem-solving. I usually invite folks I meet through IBPSA and conferences to connect on LinkedIn as well.
- Discord & Virtual Meetups – More folks are using Discord servers and informal Zoom meetups to discuss workflow tips, simulation trends, etc.
- Local Energy & Sustainability Groups – Cities with strong energy codes usually have sustainability collectives or working groups where simulation folks meet up informally. Check if your city has a 2030 District.
Learning
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my few years in this industry, it’s that the tools and methods of analysis are constantly changing. Staying ahead means knowing where to look for reliable info:
- Software Training & Documentation – OpenStudio, EnergyPlus, IES-VE, DesignBuilder, Ladybug Tools (Pollination), etc. all have solid online training materials. Dive into forums, read release notes, and stay active in the user communities. This list is not exhaustive, so feel free to comment on what you think is current and up next.
- YouTube & Webinars – Channels like Big Ladder Software’s tutorials, IBPSA webinars, and software vendor training sessions are legit goldmines. I learned how to use Grasshopper, Rhino, IESVE, and so much more through YouTube tutorials.
- Online Courses – Sites like edX, Coursera, and some university extension programs offer courses on energy modeling, thermodynamics, and climate-responsive design. I used Coursera to help me study for the PE exam.
- AI in Simulation – AI energy modeling tools are becoming much more common. Learning Python for automating model calibration and data processing will give you a competitive edge. AI can help a lot with getting up to speed on best practices, troubleshooting, and thinking creatively through modeling tasks.
- Books & Papers – “Energy Simulation in Building Design” by Joseph Clarke and ASHRAE’s Handbook of Fundamentals are classics. I’ve also used Google Scholar and ResearchGate – great places to keep up with the latest research.
Becoming a Pro
It’s one thing to know how to run simulations – it’s another to apply that knowledge. Here’s what helps:
- Get Hands-On – Don’t get stuck only watching tutorials – build actual models. Work through case studies, validate results against real-world data, and tweak your workflow. Once you get a solid workflow, analysis becomes easier.
- Find a Mentor – Reach out to experienced modelers and ask questions and get feedback on your work. It may seem daunting at first, but as the saying goes – “garbage in, garbage out”. Getting feedback on your results helps your models become more accurate.
- Publish & Present – Share your insights at conferences, contribute to industry discussions, and write about the cool things that you discover. It’s a great way to reinforce your understanding while also building credibility.
- Understand Codes & Standards – Building performance modeling is all about compliance and performance standards. Knowing the latest energy codes, benchmarking systems (LEED, WELL, etc.), and other regional standards will make you much more valuable on projects.
Final Thoughts
Building performance simulation in 2025 is all about staying up to date with what the latest technologies and standards are, along with building your community. I believe that the best pros in this space don’t only know how to use software well – they holistically understand buildings, climate, human interaction, and energy. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and get involved in the community.
P.S. Do you have a modeling question you want answered? Send it my way! I help run Ask-A-Modeler and would love to get your question answered by a qualified pro.
Hunter Swope, EIT, LEED GA
Building Performance Engineer, CMTA Engineers
hswope@cmta.com
