The IBPSA England hosted the Sixth Conference, and the Second Virtual Building Simulation and Optimisation (BSO) Conference in 2022. The event was hosted by the University of Bath's Centre for Energy and the Design of Environments (EDEn) and sponsored by IES.
 
The conference aimed to bring together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss and share their latest research and best practices in building simulation and optimisation. The event was entirely virtual, which allowed for more inclusivity, making it easier for colleagues to participate who would have struggled to secure funding to attend in person.
 
The conference accepted papers on traditional BSO themes such as building simulation software and models, occupancy modelling, whole-life carbon models, indoor environmental quality, and urban and district scale simulation of climate and energy use. Additionally, the conference also included a special focus on building simulation and optimisation in the Global South, exploring specific challenges such as affordable simulations, simulations in informal cities, simulations of natural ventilation in hostile outdoor environments, and solar energy in informal and overcrowded settlements.
 
The event also featured a debate, which was moderated by the Conference Chair Prof Sukumar Natarajan. Speakers argued for and against the motion "Building energy modellers are not literate," with audience polling used to measure audience sentiment before and after the debate. The conference also showcased key outputs from a series of high-profile research grants awarded under the Newton Fund between researchers in the UK and India.
 
Overall, the conference provided a valuable platform for experts in the building simulation and optimisation field to share their latest research and practices, as well as to address challenges and explore opportunities for designing buildings that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and healthy.
 
The recordings from the conference including the debate and keynotes can accessed from IBPSA-England’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ibpsaengland7132