The sub engines in this model simulated the final inputs for the core engine. The reference building
database identified detailed information of the typical buildings based on the building types. The shading
engine generated lines of sight from each sample window point, with the interval of 15 degrees. The
maximum obstruction angle along each line was then calculated by intersecting it with surrounding
buildings, based on which the shading factor were calculated for each facade. The microclimate engine
simulated the hourly temperature based on the urban canyon and land cover parameters. The occupancy
engine adjusted the occupant density for each building based on the urban scale data.
With the data from the sub engines, the modified EPC engine simulated the hourly total energy use,
electricity use and gas use of each building in Manhattan throughout the year of 2012, and the results