Performance-based energy codes are key to achieving net zero buildings. Performance-based approaches allow jurisdictions to define performance targets which designers can then meet. Despite the advantages of and the need for performance-based solutions, very few buildings adopt these for code or beyond code programs due to the time and cost associated with building performance modeling (BPM), the complexity of performance-path modeling requirements, and the challenges associated with reviewing and verifying that these requirements are met. Some jurisdictions report spending over forty hours and as many as three review iterations before project approval; while others approve any submittal stamped by a licensed professional, creating a potentially impactful compliance loophole.

Several groups are working to provide modelers, jurisdictions, and software vendors with tools to streamline the performance path review process and to encourage jurisdictions to adopt performance-based codes.

• ASHRAE Standard 229P defines and supports a workflow for partially automating performance-path submission review. It defines a ruleset-level model description schema that can be exported by BPM tools and that can then be automatically checked for correct application of code requirements by a ruleset checking tool (RCT). The 229P approach reduces reviewing effort, makes reviewing more transparent and consistent, and works with both automatically generated and manually generated baseline models. The RCT could also be used by the modeler, prior to the compliance submissions, to debug the model hence reducing review iterations.

• ASHRAE Standard 140 which defines physics tests for BPM engines is adding whole building test cases that more closely resemble real-world project in size and energy use as well as acceptance criteria to support more rigorous screening of BPM tools and provide jurisdictions and modelers with more specific information with which to select or approve tools.

• IBPSA-USA's Certification Committee is defining minimum qualifications for model reviewers to make explicit and emphasize the value of the model review function and to help jurisdictions in planning and staffing programs.

This session will include short presentations on each of these projects to provide an overview of the challenges they attempt to address, and the solutions they are pursuing. For the moderated panel discussion, the moderator will invite questions from the participants and will invite the panelists to provide their insights on how these solutions are helping jurisdictions and modelers move towards the net zero goal.