Interactive Visualization of Energy Efficiency Concepts Using Virtual Reality

Abstract

Virtual reality is an important topic for the engineers of tomorrow. This is especially the case when it comes to modeling, visualization and interaction with complex information structures and concepts. The paper presents the results of a synergy between a practical course in virtual reality and energy efficiency in public buildings research. The practical course focuses on acquiring knowledge of virtual reality hardware, software and applications by simulating an interdisciplinary industrial project. The project consist of two tasks. The first task is to build a system for capturing the users' behaviour and energy use in public buildings and the second task is to create a virtual reality system for interactive visualization of the collected data. With this goal in mind, an office room with sensors, automation devices and energy consumers was created. A virtual reality low cost system was then used to represent the virtual office and to augment it with real-time information