The document discusses the DIMMER project, which aims to develop an open platform using a District Information Model (DIM) to process and visualize real-time district level data in order to reduce energy consumption. A standard process has been defined to create a DIM by connecting BIM and GIS models while preserving information. The DIMMER tools include a web-GIS dashboard to monitor and manage energy use, a benchmarking tool to encourage energy optimization, a community portal for information sharing, and a district visualizer prototype. The goal is to extend BIM capabilities to the district level for energy savings.

1. DIMMER: Extending BIM at
district level with DIM for
energy saving
Matteo Del Giudice
Politecnico di Torino
Turin, ITALY

2. DrawingTOthefuture
C.so Duca degli Abruzzi, 24 TURIN
DISEG, Politecnico di Torino
www.drawingtothefuture.polito.it

3. District Information Modelling and Management for Energy Reduction
The DIMMER approach
Period 01.09.2013 - 30.09.2016

4. Period 01.09.2013 - 30.09.2016
The DIMMER approach

5. In the DIMMER project a web-service oriented, open platform with capabilities of real-time district level data
processing and visualization will be developed.
The DIMMER approach

6. The aim of this work is to show one possible way to connect BIM and GIS models trying to preserve geometric and
alphanumeric information, developing a District Information Model (DIM).
The DIMMER approach

7. Domains
Tools
JSON
The DIMMER Project

8. A standardization of the process leading to a DIM (District Information
Model) has been defined.
The BIM domain Domains
BIM Dataset provides different
information for several uses such as
the validation of the DIMMER strategy
that is mainly based on the energy
saving at district level through the
adoption of innovative technologies
that optimize the data management.

9. Architectural model
Simplified BIM model
Reductionspacesandnew
nameroom
DimmerMaterialLibrary
SharedParameters
T02_Extwall_01
CASENAME:ITC11-02
PT_016_Refectory
The BIM domain Domains

10. Energy model
BEM model
ResultingEAMaccuracy
&precision
Calculatedsurfaces
Heatingsupply
%opaque
%trasparentsurfaces
DistrictHeating
Difference
EAM – BEM MODEL (BIM domain) Domains

11. Energy signature
Simulated temperature
Sensors
BMS - MODEL VALIDATION (BIM domain)

12. Windows
Ubefore = 5,52 W/m2K
Uafter = 1,99 W/m2K
REFURBISHMENT and COST
1st Strategy (BIM domain)

13. Walls
Ubefore = 1,23 W/m2K
Uafter = 0,33 W/m2K
REFURBISHMENT and COST
2nd Strategy (BIM domain)
Roof
Ubefore = 1,13 W/m2K
Uafter = 0,30 W/m2K

14. REFURBISHMENT and COST
3rd Strategy (BIM domain)
Peak
Shaving

15. Geometrical and Alphanumerical errors
are produced by the interoperable process.
Interoperability

16. BIMs,SIMs and GISs. DIM
services is a distributed entity
that is based on RESTful Web
Services, providing a uniform
interface to each component of
the system.
Each Service Provider provides
building resources in various
data formats (JSON, IFC, gbXML,
revit).
The DIM Domain
DIModel is composed by different entities, that can be integrated to get a comprehensive
view of a district:

17. DIMMER Tools – The Web-GIS Dashboard
The Dashboard relies entirely on the DIMMER Middleware for configuration and data access according to the service-
oriented architectural pattern.
It aims at providing stakeholder with a
model for dynamic monitoring and
management of energy consumption.
It integrates GIS, BIM, SIM and BMS data
at the district level such as buildings,
networks, topology and the live and
simulated data shared among the DIMMER
middleware components.
It manages district heating data in case of
Turin pilot and district heating, HVAC and
electricity data for Manchester pilot.

18. DIMMER Tools – The Benchmarking Tool
It is able to encourage and facilitate energy optimization at building/district level towards effective energy savings.
The Benchmarking Tool aims to address the
stakeholders and the related requirements.
It provides the users with the following
funtionalities:
• Visualization and deep navigation of the
BIM Model via IFC;
• Energy Consumptions Benchmarking:
Virtual Building vs My Building;
• Historical Energy Consumptions
Benchmarking;
• Building Refurbishment Scenarios;

19. The main objective of the Community Portal is awareness. It allows the users to share what they learn, their own
experiences or raise interesting questions to be discussed with likeminded.
The community tool is created for the target users
to use in the Community portal and communicate
with the building residents.
It can be used as a great platform for experts to
share their specific knowledge with
others and get feedback, questions and comments.
DIMMER Tools – The Community Portal
The usage is very straight forward, especially for
anyone that has used a social network before (e.g.
Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter).

20. It is an application is a prototype and enables users from all three target User Groups of to make
changes to a virtual dynamic representation of each of the two Demonstrators.
The visualizer has a number of layers
useful for:
• interfacing with the Middleware;
• taking data and pulling out the
needed stuff, creating efficient data
structures for charting and 3D display;
• Requesting one or more data sources
for visualization (V/AR for mobile or
desktop);
• Display DIM data on a map.
The DV will be built primarily using technology from the games industry, in particular Unity3D.
This provides the scalability for future additional canvases and ways to interact with data.
DIMMER Tools – The District Visualizer

21. Theshow
The games
Theactors
Learning with DIMMER
Dissemination activities

22. References
Brizzi P., Bonino D., Musetti A., Krylovskiy A., Patti E., Axling M. (2016). Towards an ontology
driven approach for systems interoperability and energy management in the smart city. Splitech
Choi J., Shin J., Kim M. & Kim I. (2016). Development of openBIM-based energy analysis
software to improve the interoperability of energy performance assessment. In Automation in
Construction, Volume 72, pp. 52-64
Donkers, S. et al.,(2015). Automatic conversion of IFC datasets to geometrically and
semantically correct CityGML LOD3 buildings. In Transaction in GIS, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp:
547–569.
Melia A., Nolan E., Kerrigan R. (2015). Indicate: Towards the Development of a Virtual City
Model, Using a 3D Model of Dundalk City, pp. 925-930
Rapetti N., Del Giudice M., Osello A. (2016). From District Information Model (DIM) to Energy
Analysis Model (EAM) via Interoperability. Proceedings of the 11th ECPPM, pp. 323-330
Sicilia A., Madrazo L., Costa G. (2015). Building a semantic-based decision support system to
optimize the energy use in public buildings: the OPTIMUS project. Sustainable Places 2015
event, September 16, 2015, Savona, Italy

23. Acknowledgements
The DIMMER project received funding from the European Union’s
Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological
development and demonstration under grant agreement n° 609084.
Consortium

24. https://timepac2019.blogspot.com
If you would like to have more information
about this presentation, please contact
matteo.delgiudice@polito.it
www.drawingtothefuture.polito.it
www.polito.it