The McDonalds’s restaurant in Orlando, Florida combines modern architecture with technology to create enough renewable energy on-site to cover its energy needs on a net annual basis. Its aim is ultimate efficiency in energy usage and performance.

To help the popular restaurant group achieve this, WSP used IESVE to conduct detailed and extensive energy analysis to help inform the design and ensure it was on track for net-zero targets. This was particularly challenging due to the high Energy Use Intensity (EUI) level that you would expect from this building type. Most projects pursuing net-zero have lower EUI and for the most part improving the efficiency of the building envelope is enough to reach net-zero. However, for this project the team had to think outside the box and go above and beyond usual strategies.

IESVE was instrumental to this as it allowed WSP to model complicated scenarios and carry out really extensive analysis, including natural ventilation, detailed modelling of the kitchen equipment, including the different controls, and setting up the advanced VRF system that serves the space. 

The IESVE facilitated an integrative design process where the WSP team worked closely with the Architect and were able to quickly edit the model geometry in line with changes to the design and get results to make informed decisions throughout. Getting accurate results was particularly important to this project as they had to size the PV panels based on the results from the energy analysis, and they found IESVE very reliable for this. 

Another challenge for the team, was investigating Passive strategies. Orlando has a very hot climate, so the team had to explore possibilities to reduce solar gains in the project. IESVE was used to analyse shading strategies, different geometries and different facades to measure and control solar gains. 

Other passive strategies such as natural ventilation was tested in MacroFlo. The WSP team found it useful to have a simple version of CFD to measure how natural ventilation and different openings were helping and how to reduce cooling consumption in the building. The hot climate meant that cooling was definitely one of the big end uses for the project. From the beginning the Architect wanted to use natural ventilation where possible, so WSP ran analysis to see how many openings were needed and where, which was all made possible using MacroFlo.

It was decided to use a Hybrid HVAC system which is a combination of VRF and natural ventilation. The team were impressed with the ability to model this complex system in IESVE, noting that no other tool could detail a system like this and switch between natural ventilation and mechanical air conditioning.

Modeling the kitchen equipment loads was challenging for the team. As previously mentioned, the energy-use for the project is very high, with the kitchen equipment accounting for almost half of the total energy. Another goal of the project was electrification, so all the kitchen equipment is electric including the grills and fryers which use a lot of energy. The building will serve thousands of meals a day and Disney World is a crowded place all year.

For calculating the kitchen equipment, WSP sub-metered another McDonald’s restaurant project to figure out the schedule of each piece of equipment and they then created a schedule for them in the IESVE. This was useful as they discovered that grills and fryers were not running all day even though it is a 24/7 restaurant. Using actual real-time data and translating it to include better scheduling in IESVE for each piece of equipment enabled the team to lower the energy result at the end of the project and also understand better which equipment is using the most energy. 

With the high volume of meals being served, even the heat gain from the food has an impact on the space. WSP included the food as a load in the VE so they were capturing that for the cooling consumption in addition to the usual occupancy and other sensible latent loads for the space. Fans were also incorporated to accelerate natural ventilation.

The final result was one of the first net-zero projects that has had this level of energy intensity. The 8,024 square-foot restaurant features an expansive, v-shaped solar-paneled roof and photovoltaic glass panels integrated throughout the building. Green, plant-covered walls absorb CO2, promoting biodiversity and retaining water. Louvers open and close automatically ‘inhaling” cool air in and “exhaling” warm air out. Solar parking lot lights help offset more than 9,000 kWh per year.

To solidify the restaurant’s Net Zero Energy status, the project is pursuing the International Living Future Institute’s Zero Energy Certification. Data and learnings from the restaurant will also inform McDonald’s global sustainability efforts, including progressing toward the company’s science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36% in restaurants and offices by 2030 compared to a 2015 base year.

This global flagship restaurant will now serve as a learning hub for McDonald’s to test solutions for reducing energy and water use, a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable innovation.

“This was a very exciting project with aggressive net-zero targets and a real passion to meet these goals. The design process was truly integrative and holistic and required a software that enabled this. We believe IESVE is the only software available to truly enable this. For this project, the analysis was so in-depth and extensive that we used all the energy applications – ApacheSim, ApacheHVAC, MacroFlo, and Suncast. A great benefit was the ability to model the openings and how they open up in great detail in IESVE. Being able to set up the actual control profiles and tie that to the actual sequence of operation for the project is crucial when it comes to natural ventilation, as most of the time software will use default controls that wouldn’t be used in reality. In IES we were able to match that precisely to the sequence of operation in reality or an accurate measurement.”

Mohammad H. Abbasi  
WELL Faculty & AP, CPHC, RESET, LEED AP, Assoc.AIA
Building Performance Consultant 

McDonalds Restaurant Orlando - Net-Zero Energy Building Design

Over the last 30+ years, IES has built a solid reputation as the leading global innovator in integrated performance-based analysis for the built environment.

The IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) is a powerful, in-depth suite of building performance analysis tools. It enables the design and operation of low/zero carbon, healthy and comfortable buildings. Whether working on a new build or renovation project, IESVE allows designers to test different options, identify best passive solutions, compare low-carbon & renewable technologies, and draw conclusions on energy use, CO2 emissions, occupant comfort, and much more.
There are various applications in the suite; each designed to provide sustainable analysis at levels suitable for different design team members and design stages. All utilize our Apache dynamic thermal simulation engine, and an integrated central data model. 

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) with the IES Virtual Environment software is the perfect industry design tool for electrification and decarbonization of the built environment. Various design strategies are available with decarbonization as an end goal, such as: passive design, energy conservation, energy efficiency, electrification, incorporating renewable energy technology, or energy storage.

From optimizing room and zone loads to detailed HVAC system and equipment sizing, IESVE HVAC software offers the most practical, efficient, and accurate tools available. IESVE can quickly and easily undertake CIBSE & ASHRAE heating and cooling loads calculations, with efficient inputs for 3D geometry, envelope, internal gains, external design conditions and location. Minimum ventilation requirements can be included, or local code minimum ventilation can be utilized. Reports can be generated in either spreadsheet or PDF format, and can be shared to help gain insights from in-depth results analysis, or iterate on building design. These calculations transition seamlessly into detailed HVAC system sizing and optimization.

IESVE can also be utilized for quick and easy CFD airflow simulation. An existing IESVE model can be used for early stage CFD simulations, without needing to import further data or export into other tools. MicroFlo-CFD performs ‘snapshot’ CFD simulation by importing boundary conditions from APACHE’s dynamic simulation, or allows manual boundary conditions to be added. Ventilation from passive sources (e.g. operable windows) or mechanical devices (e.g. diffusers) can be included in these simulations. MicroFlo-CFD can be utilized for a range of CFD use cases, such as: passive natural ventilation design, passive atrium design, data center design, hospital operating room design, HVAC design for occupant thermal comfort, external wind studies, or normal use ventilation of car parks.

There is also the option within IESVE to utilize Parametric Simulation. This feature empowers users to compare a large range of design possibilities, be it for a single-variant design study or a multi-parameter whole-building design perspective. The Parametric Simulation feature has access to a large number of model variables and is integrated into the full range of APACHE’s links (Solar, Daylight, Airflow, Loads/Sizing and HVAC Systems). Over a thousand permutations are possible with one model. 

With the IESVE software, you can undertake daylighting for LEED and BREEAM, electric lighting design, glare prediction, daylight harvesting, daylight autonomy, user-specified visualizations. IESVE can ensure good natural daylight and visual comfort, reduce lighting gains, and test how your lighting designs will look and perform. Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing analysis can be carried out, with results generated for climate-based daylight modeling and daylight autonomy. For lighting design, daylight harvesting and dimming control assessments can also be undertaken. All of this combined can help you meet the requirements of local codes and best practice guides. 

Complex solar shading calculations can also be undertaken within IESVE, to determine how solar rays pass through both external and internal openings.  The path of the sun is tracked across rooms and atriums into internal space allowing the exact location and impact of solar gain to be understood. Internal and external solar shading devices can be tested, along with assessing the shading or right to light impact of surrounding buildings and terrain. Any solar shading calculations can then inform Loads Calculations and Energy Simulations. 

IES also offers unrivalled interoperability with other CAD design and analysis tools. The smooth and robust two-way information exchange between IESVE and BIM platforms speeds up the design process and facilitates digital design. 

Virtual Environment (IESVE)

Using architectural drawings to create a 3D model of the building, VE Solutions were able to use the IES VE to consider how heat conduction from people, lighting, the sun and through the building itself would affect comfort levels.

When it came to right-sizing the HVAC equipment, many different parameters affecting performance and comfort levels were considered. The resulting 3D model meant VE Solutions could really visualise the space and analyse specific areas of concern in more detail, in a way not possible with just a spreadsheet full of data.

As well as reducing the cost of the HVAC equipment, the integrated nature of the VE modules and their ability to handle heavy load calculations and hourly data, meant that VE Solutions could more accurately size equipment to optimise performance by room.

As well as providing ample cooling on a hot day, right-sized fan coil units de-humidify more effectively on a humid day. That was very important to the Four Seasons because New York gets very humid in the summer and oversized equipment won’t take out the moisture.

“The VE has taken our ability to value engineer HVAC systems to a new level. The sophisticated way the ApacheSim, ApacheHVAC and SunCast modules integrate together enabled us to gain a better understanding of the building loads, which helped us reduce HVAC costs while actually improving the comfort of the building. We were able to reduce the amount of equipment, ductwork and piping required, significantly reducing costs and contributing to the client’s goal to start construction this year.”

Eugene Siterman, Managing Director, VE Solutions Group

Four Seasons Hotel - HVAC Analysis

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BIMWERX currently have 25 projects utilising ReviCheck to improve their services to their clients.

At BIMWERX, are committed to providing clients with the best possible services. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the key to improving the construction industry, and they are constantly looking for new ways to use BIM to deliver better results for clients. One of the ways that have been able to improve our services is by using ReviCheck. ReviCheck is a cloud-based software solution that helps construction teams ensure that they are always working with the latest versions of their drawings. This is essential for avoiding costly mistakes and delays. ReviCheck works by using QR codes to identify each drawing uniquely. 

BIMWERX: How ReviCheck Helps Us Provide Better Services to Our Clients

ReviCheck is a game-changer in construction document management. It seamlessly integrates QR code technology with Autodesk Revit, ensuring all stakeholders access the latest data. The problem of outdated drawings, which plagues construction sites with 25% of drawings being out of date, is solved through real-time document status checks using the ReviCheck mobile app.

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