1 paper to discover: METEODYN at eSim 2026 in Canada

From June 17 to 19, METEODYN team will attend eSim 2026, the Building Performance Simulation Conference organized under the auspices of IBPSA-Canada, at the Université de Sherbrooke in Longueuil Campus, Canada.

METEODYN is eager to meet the Canadian building simulation and urban climate community, and to share its expertise in CFD modelling, urban microclimate assessment, and climate-resilient design.

As climate change intensifies its impact on cities and buildings, simulation tools are becoming essential to support better design decisions. Building performance, decarbonization, occupant well-being, and adaptation to extreme weather events are now deeply connected challenges for architects, engineers, urban planners, and developers.

In this context, Building Performance Simulation and CFD modelling play a key role in understanding how complex built environments interact with local climate. Accurate simulation is particularly important when assessing urban microclimate, pedestrian conditions, natural ventilation potential, and heat stress exposure.

This is precisely the focus of the paper presented by METEODYN at eSim 2026: understanding how the accuracy of CFD simulations, in particular with our UrbaWind®software, can influence the evaluation of Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) based thermal comfort in complex urban environments.

Paper abstract

“Sensitivity of CFD accuracy on Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index thermal stress level”, written by Guillaume Caniot, Eric Tromeur, and Zixiao Jiang.

Join the presentation on June 18 at 3:00 PM EDT, room L1-3620 during Session 13.

Outdoor thermal comfort is attracting more research for 20 years because of how fast climate change affects daily life. Among many thermal comfort indices that exist, Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) is the most commonly used in the engineering field. However, the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index is a necessary alternative for specific climate zones where specific clothing can be more appropriate.

Computation of the PET index is possible using capabilities of Grasshopper, a visual programming language and environment integrated in Computer-aided design (CAD) software Rhinoceros, with the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics tools (CFD).

The CFD simulation is performed on a test case in hot desert climate during summertime in a street canyon in Egypt and compared with field measurements. PET is computed using two methods to evaluate mean radiant temperature: Solarcal and HoneyBee.

The study shows good statistics over Mean Error (ME), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) compared to another numerical solution.

The sensitivity analysis on mean wind speed shows that accuracy of mean wind speed is very high for low mean wind speed region (<3 m/s). A mean wind speed increase of 2-2.5 m/s can lead to a reduction of -2 thermal stress levels on PET index (ΔPET=-10°C).

For high wind speed region (>3 m/s), the influence of increase of mean wind speed becomes less sensitive (ΔPET=-0.5°C for ΔV=+1 m/s).

CFD accuracy is therefore crucial to catch correct wind speed region impacting the PET index thermal stress level.

Our on-site experts

Our team will also be in Canada ahead of eSim for client meetings. If you are based in the Montreal area and would like to discuss urban climate, CFD simulation, outdoor comfort, or climate adaptation for your projects, both Guillaume Caniot and Guillaume Vervout would be pleased to meet you directly at your offices the days leading up to the event.