In order to consistently exchange information on building characteristics and energy use data between tools and databases, several organizations have signed up to use the Building Energy Data Exchange Specification (BEDES) in their software applications, totaling 16 BEDES-compliant products since inception. The BEDES Working Group boasts 102 engaged members who contribute ideas to the development process, and 13 organizations have endorsed BEDES to date. As part of our continuing effort to expand the capability of BEDES, version 2.0 was released on September 19, 2016 with new terms to support finance data, as well as solar PV data.
The BEDES is a dictionary of terms, definitions, and field formats that facilitates the exchange of information on building energy use across tools and activities. BEDES can be used by systems that track building performance, deliver data for energy retrofit investment decision analyses, or that display the results of energy efficiency programs and policies.
Unlock Building Energy Data and Make Sound Investment Decisions
Conducting analysis to support energy efficiency retrofit investment decisions can involve puzzle-piecing together disparate data locked in PDFs or proprietary databases. In partnership with the BEDES team, the Investor Confidence Project (ICP), a project of the Environmental Defense Fund, is creating a specification for a standard XML dataset for energy efficiency retrofit projects. The ICP XMP dataset uses the BEDES data specification to enable the easy exchange of energy performance data, allowing project developers to share data with prospective investors and other stakeholders.
The BEDES has served as the framework for the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Data Dictionary, enabling the flow of data between consumers and energy managers, and adding the capability for prospective home buyers to compare consistent energy ratings. Collaborating through the Better Buildings Home Energy Information Accelerator, Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) are intersecting with local energy efficiency programs to fold home energy-efficiency info into property listings. Home buyers are now able to search their MLS for the energy-efficiency ratings of potential homes in five pilot programs underway across the U.S. These new features will be rolled out to your local MLS by 2018.
The Building Energy Data Exchange Specification (BEDES) is one element of DOE's ecosystem of commercial building analysis tools. You can learn more about these tools by visiting /eere/buildings/analysis-tools.
Got Data Exchange / Integration Challenges?
If you have a software application project that requires data exchange or integration across multiple applications or systems, the BEDES team can help. DOE can provide technical support through LBNL, including strategic planning for data standardization, data mappings, and transformations to assist you in creating BEDES-compliant applications. If you would like to adopt BEDES and/or participate in development, please contact us at bedes-support@lbl.gov.