1. Whole-Building Energy Modeling: Reducing Modeling Time With the OpenStudio 0.8 User Interface and the Building Component Library
Presented by the Building Technologies Program Nicholas Long, NREL and David Goldwasser, NREL June 28, 2012

2. Key Questions We Want to Answer Today
What is OpenStudio?
A building energy modeling application suite
Software for rapidly creating new analysis and design tools
Who are the users?
Building design and analysis practitioners
Architects and engineers
Students
Researchers and analysis/design tool producers
What is the Building Component Library?
A repository of reusable building components and measures
An integrated resource for OpenStudio
What does the OpenStudio workflow look like and how can it help you?
Demo of our newest version 0.8.0

3. Who Is Partnering with OpenStudio?
CRADAs
concept3D (simuwatt mobile audit and PV assessment/design tool)
Xcel Energy (design assistance program)
Partners
SketchUp (Now owned by Trimble)
Collaborators
PNNL (Asset Rating Tool)
LBNL and Bonneville Power Administration (Radiance Integration)
CEC, AEC, and L’Monte Services (Title 24 Compliance Engine)
EEB Hub (CONTAM Integration)
NRCan (Optimization tools and Canadian code compliance)
More

4. Who is Using OpenStudio?
Note: service domains are filtered out of these results

5. Analysis Tools for Market Transformation
OpenStudio is:
An application suite and software development kit (SDK)
Free to use
Free for rapid development of new applications
Available now for PC, Mac, and Linux
Beginners
Broad Market Penetration
User Expertise
Experts
Deep Energy Impact
Web Interfaces
SketchUp Plug-In & Visual Applications
Analysis Functionality
OpenStudio
EnergyPlus
Radiance

6. Rapid Geometry and Space Assignment and Zoning with SketchUp
Draw Floor Plan
Extrude
Add Fenestration
Draw envelope in minutes
Render by Boundary Condition
Render by Space Type
Render by Zone
Render by Story
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL
Quickly assign constructions, loads, and schedules via templates and specify zones
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL

7. BIM Interoperability via OpenStudio
gbXML Import from BIM
OpenStudio
Space Type
Boundary Conditions
Constructions
Stories
Credit: Dan Macumber / NREL
BIM/BEM interoperability creates a seamless and efficient workflow for architects and engineers
Also supports CEC Title 24 SDD format
gbXML Export from OpenStudio

8. Geometry Tools for Retrofit Modeling
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL
SketchUp offers additional tools for quickly capturing existing geometry

9. Addressing Usability Barriers
Solicited feedback on OpenStudio applications from:
Members of AIA
A&E firms
RMI
Educators
Researchers
Typical feedback:
Want a single application with clear workflow
Don’t make me have to understand all the underlying mechanics
It should be eQuest-like in its simplicity
Provide access to detail if I want it, but don’t force me to turn all the dials
Enable extensibility via scripting to get at everything EnergyPlus can do
Synthesized user requirements into a new workflow-centric application that complements the SketchUp Plug-In
Used the OpenStudio SDK to rapidly implement this new application
Work began in January 2012
Software was publicly released March 27, 2012

10. The New OpenStudio Application
Define Resources
Workflow
Review
Results
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL

11. Defining Construction Resources
Drag and Drop Library Resources
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL

12. Templated HVAC Systems for Rapid Modeling
Pick a System
Add Your Zones
Done
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL

13. Drag and Drop HVAC System Models
…or customize your own
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL

14. High-Level Simulation Summary
Credit: David Goldwasser / NREL

15. Radiance for Daylighting Analysis
The same model can also be used for detailed daylighting analysis with Radiance
No need to maintain two separate models
OpenStudio Model for EnergyPlus or Radiance
Radiance Output
Credit: Rob Guglielmetti / NREL

16. Energy Modeling Outcomes
Addressing Reliability Barriers
Making good progress on intuitive workflows, usability, and reducing time to build energy models with templates
What about reliability and repeatability?
Good tools foster good process
Input data remains a serious issue for modelers
Garbage In = Garbage Out  Quality In = Quality Out
Solution: Centralize and standardize input data and seamlessly link these data to modeling and analysis tools
Templates
Usability
Energy Modeling Outcomes
Consistent Inputs
Fast
Low-Cost
Reliable

17. The Building Component Library (BCL)
Credit: Marjorie Schott / NREL
Credit: Marjorie Schott / NREL

18. Measures – Automated Analysis
Credit: Marjorie Schott / NREL
Credit: Marjorie Schott / NREL
Measures are a new type of BCL content that contain the logic needed to consistently apply energy conservation measures to an energy model
They can be applied singly or part of a parametric/optimization analysis

19. Procedural Modeling with Measures
Credit: Alex Swindler / NREL
Measures can be used to procedurally create or modify models
In this example we automatically generate a family of small office buildings with varying footprint, floors, window-to-wall ratio, constructions, etc.

20. Demo

21. Conclusions
OpenStudio simplifies energy modeling for integrated building design and retrofit.
OpenStudio helps tool users and developers.
The Building Component Library is an integrated resource that makes it easy to find reliable input data.
OpenStudio is being adopted by users and tool developers.

22. Thank You! nicholas.long@nrel.gov david.goldwasser@nrel.gov
Questions?
Credit: Orthan Veli Kazanci
Credit: Nick Fernandez, PNNL GSA Heartland Region Building Model
Thank You!