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Built on top of the CitySim Solver, developed at the Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory of EPFL, CitySim Pro is a Graphical User Interface aiming at the simulation and optimisation of the sustainability of urban settlements.

CitySim is fast (compared to other simulation engines), reliable (successfully tested against energy monitoring) and needs few input data (available at early design stages). Have a look at the publications list!

How do I get the Climate and Horizon files?

Climate and Horizon files can be produced using the software Meteonorm and saved respectively in CLI and HOR formats. For convenience, a few demonstration files are shipped with the software and stored in Resources/climateFiles subdirectory.

How do I change the default construction materials?

A database containing default construction materials is shipped with the software and stored in the XML file CitySimDatabase.xml in Resources/defaults subdirectory. When updating the software, please make sure that you have saved your own modified construction database.

How do I import my own scene?

An AutoCAD DXF 2000 with 3DFACE or POLYLINE can be imported into CitySim Pro. POLYLINE is recommended as 3DFACE can only contain triangles or quads, and therefore your scene may be subdivided in more surfaces than really needed. The file has however to be prepared with care and organised using LAYERs. The name of the LAYER containing the ground has to start with GROUND, for shading surfaces with SURFACES. and finally each building need to be in separated layers. For more details, press F1 on the menu item within CitySim Pro. An example is provided with the software in the Resources subdirectory and named TwoHouses.dxf.

When using Rhino, the following links might help (thanks to D. Griego):

How do I select a Building in the scene?

Using CTRL-click on any building surface will select the Building object as a whole. Once selected, the building propoerties can be edited. Using a simple click on a surface will allow to edit the Surface object's properties.

Can I directly import my scene from Sketchup?

Sure! We provide with CitySim Pro an extension for Sketchup (a plugin in Ruby). Go to Sketchup preferences and add the extension, then you will have a new option in the File menu. Remember to create the layers according to the question How do I import my own scene? and everything will be just fine.

Can I import my scene in CityGML?

Yes, you can import CityGML models in LOD2. If you face some issue with your files, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Can I export my scene in text format to analyse them with my favourite spreadsheet?

Yes, you can export results as text in a CSV file. The CSV file contains the following results:

timeStep: the results are provided on an hourly basis,
Ta (°C): the indoor air temperature,
Heating (Wh): the ideal heating needs to reach the heating setpoint temperature,
Cooling (Wh): the ideal cooling needs to reach the cooling setpoint temperature,
Qi (Wh): the internal gains comprising occupants, appliances and solar heat gains,
Qs (Wh): the satisfied heating (positive) or cooling (negative) needs - this is the column to take into account for ideal loads calculation,
VdotVent (mᶟ/h): the natural ventilation flow rate by window openings,
HeatStockTemperature (°C): the temperature of the heat tank,
DHWStockTemperature (°C): the temperature of the domestic hot water tank (if applicable),
ColdStockTemperature (°C): the temperature of the cold tank,
MachinePower (W): the power necessary for the energy conversion system to provide heating or cooling,
FuelConsumption (MJ): the energy consumed by the energy conversion system in terms of fuel,
ElectricConsumption (kWh): the energy consumed by the energy conversion system in terms of electricity deduced by the photovoltaics (PV) production,
SolarThermalProduction (J): the energy provided to the heat stock by solar thermal panels.

If you face some doubts regarding the outputs, please consult the guide or don't hesitate to contact us.