Course detail

Welcome to Modelica-based simulation of building and district energy systems

Description: Due to climate change, more stringent building energy standards are enforced to reduce building primary energy use. This causes a shift towards the use of more advanced and complex heating and cooling systems for the built environment. 

Energy simulation programs are powerful tools that have been increasingly used by engineers and researchers for the design, analysis and optimization of energy and district energy systems. However, today’s programs have diTiculties to handle the challenges posed by the complexity of future systems, which are expected to integrate renewable energies, thermal storage, and advanced control algorithms.

This course aims to present latest developments in modeling and simulation of building and district energy systems based on Modelica modeling language. Modelica is an opensource language that features ease of use, visual design of models with combination of Lego-like predefined blocks, ability to define model libraries with reusable components, and support for modeling and simulation of complex applications involving parts from diTerent engineering domains.

The course is organized in three days. In the first day, the course gives a basic introduction of Modelica fundamentals by introducing object-oriented and equationbased modeling. In the second day, the concepts previously learnt are used to develop a building model equipped with a radiator system and an air-based cooling system. In the third day, a district heating system model will be developed by connecting substations, piping network and central plant.

Day 1: Introduction to Modelica and simulation environment

• Basics of the Modelica modeling language
• Workflow – from modeling to simulation
• Modelica libraries

Day 2: Hands-on training: Simple house with heating system / Air-based cooling system

• Creating a single-room model
• Radiator heating system and controller
• Air-based cooling system with chiller

Day 3: Hands-on training: District heating system

• Substations
• Piping network and ground losses
• Central plan

Prerequisites: 

• Basic knowledge of any programming language
• Basic knowledge of building simulation programs
• Knowledge of thermo-fluid dynamics and heat transfer mechanisms in buildings

Learning objectives: After the course, participants will be able to use Modelica libraries, create models of buildingrooms and heating/cooling systems on their own, run simulations, and analyze results.

Teaching methods: Teaching will be provided as a mix of lecture presentations, hands-on trainings, simulation exercises and discussions.

Criteria for assessment: Participants will be evaluated through a final assignment, which consists in the preparation of a report to be delivered 2 weeks after the end of the course.

Key literature: 

• Peter Fritzson. (2014). Principles of Object-Oriented Modeling and Simulation with Modelica 3.3: A Cyber-Physical Approach. John Wiley & Sons.
• Jan Hensen and Roberto Lamberts. (2019). Building Performance Simulation for Design and Operation. Routledge.
• Michael Wetter, Wangda Zuo, Thierry S. Nouidui & Xiufeng Pang. (2014). Modelica Buildings library, Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 7:4, 253-270.

Organizer: Alessandro Maccarini, Associate Professor, AAU (amac@build.aau.dk) and Alireza Afshari, Professor, AAU

Lecturers: 

• Alessandro Maccarini, Associate Professor, AAU
• Michael Wetter, Computational Senior Scientist, LBNL (guest lecturer)
• Rene J. Nielsen, Simulation and Control Engineer, Added Values (guest lecturer)
• Adam Nagel, Head of Engineering, P1-AI (guest lecturer)

ECTS: 3

Date: 24, 25 and 26 August 2026

Place: Aalborg University (Copenhagen campus). Online participation will be available.

City: Copenhagen

Maximal number of participants: 20

Deadline: 3 August 2026

Important information concerning PhD courses: 

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.