The Success Factors of Building Energy Modelling Adoption for Sustainable Building Projects

It is critical to assess building energy modelling (BEM) usage for sustainable building projects and the potential impact of technology-guided occupant behaviour on building energy use. Considering its benefits, this study is aimed at determining the success factors of adopting BEM for sustainable building projects in the Nigerian construction industry. A post-positivist philosophical approach guided a quantitative research methodology using a questionnaire survey. The population comprised architects, builders, quantity surveyors, mechanical/electrical engineers, and facility managers within Lagos state. Using the random sampling technique, 379 questionnaires were distributed online and physically; 228 copies were retrieved, screened, and analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis, while Cronbach’s Alpha tested reliability. The mean scores range from 3.85 to 4.0, indicating a generally high perception among respondents regarding the success factors of BEM usage. The most critical success factors are "Increasing the knowledge base of BEM applications", “Incorporation of BEM training and education into the curriculum of academic institutions”, “Public awareness creation through workshops, seminars and conferences”, and “Availability of an institutional framework for effective implementation of BEM”. The Kruskal-Wallis H test outcome also revealed that the respondents’ opinions were consistent for these variables since their p-values were more than 0.05; this gives the consensus standpoint of the respondents. The study recommends advocating for the integration of BEM education into academic curricula at all levels of education, from vocational training programs to university degrees, and investing in infrastructure improvements to address technological barriers such as unreliable internet connectivity and power outages.