Glasgow-based climate tech firm IES has been appointed by the Government of Gibraltar to create the territory’s first simulation modelling tool to ensure that all future buildings are net zero and in line with the latest compliance laws.

Developed in partnership with the Gibraltarian government and funded through the territory’s Climate Action Fund, IES’s new modelling platform is set to be the sole Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) performance-based compliance pathway on the Rock.

By switching from basic monthly averages to detailed hourly simulations, IES said the DSM engine gives architects, engineers, and regulators in one of Europe’s most crowded, air-con-reliant countries the granular insight needed to design net zero energy buildings and meet Gibraltar’s Part F energy regulations for new constructions.

“The nature of Gibraltar’s dense urban fabric, limited roof area for solar panels, and hot Mediterranean summers makes it extremely difficult to reach net-zero without the insights that dynamic thermal simulation offers,” said Vincent Murray, associate director at IES. 

“Our DSM platform evaluates the interaction of form, facade, thermal mass, smart HVAC and on-site renewables hour by hour throughout the year, so design teams can evaluate all aspects of the building design to meet the Part F regulations. 

New residential or non-domestic projects looking for planning permission must demonstrate compliance with these strict codes, though IES said that in practice, any building with sophisticated architecture, controls, or renewable generation will require the DSM pathway.

“In practical terms, that’s what makes the difference between an aspirational target and a building that genuinely produces as much energy as it consumes.”

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Work on the Gibraltar DSM tool began in September 2024, before moving to development completion this spring, and became publicly available today, ahead of the Gibraltar Aspire Sustainable Built Environment Conference. 

IES said the integration connects Gibraltar’s design community to its wider platform, giving access to digital twin tech, data analytics, and net-zero planning tools, helping track building performance from design to completion and beyond.

“By embedding IESVE Dynamic Simulation technology into our regulatory structures, we are equipping the market with the only tool capable of testing complex geometries, rooftop-solar layouts, and advanced cooling strategies before ground is even broken,” said a spokesperson for HM Government of Gibraltar.

“That means faster approvals, lower operating costs, and a built environment that supports – rather than hinders – our climate goals.”

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