This OpenStudio energy model was used to evaluate the conversion of a 1950s Army barracks to a zero net energy (ZNE) office building as part of the Fort Carson (CO) Energy Research Project.
Matt Leach, NREL
Whole-Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is a versatile, multipurpose tool that is used in new building and retrofit design, code compliance, green certification, qualification for tax credits and utility incentives, and real-time building control. BEM is also used in large-scale analyses to develop building energy-efficiency codes and inform policy decisions. So what exactly is BEM? And what roles does the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) play in the BEM industry and community? Learn more about BEM, its uses, and BTO’s BEM portfolio ►
Software and Project Portfolio
EnergyPlus
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EnergyPlus is DOE's open-source state-of-the-art whole building energy simulation engine.
OpenStudio
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OpenStudio is an open-source software development kit (SDK) for energy modeling with EnergyPlus.
Spawn-of-EnergyPlus (Spawn)
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Spawn-of-EnergyPlus (Spawn) is a next-generation product based on open-standards for co-simulation (FMI) and equation-based modeling (Modelica).
Building Energy Modeling Project Portfolio
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BTO's active and completed Building Energy Modeling projects.
End-Use Breakdown: The BEM Blog
Radiance Creator Greg Ward Receives Prestigious Daylight Award 2018
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Daylighting was a niche technique 30 years ago, but thanks to work of researchers like Ward, it is a core element of many high-performance buildings.
The OpenStudio World Is Flat
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FloorspaceJS is new open-source 2D floor-plan editor. It will initially complement the OpenStudio SketchUp plug-in and eventually replace it.
BuildSimHub Brings GitHub to Building Energy Simulation
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Startup BuildSim’s new offering brings GitHub’s project management, version control, and collaboration features to building energy simulation.
Trane Switches Engines with TRACE 3D Plus
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Trane is releasing a re-architected TRACE, with DOE's whole-building energy modeling engine EnergyPlus™ inside.
Resources for Modelers and Stakeholders
Unmet Hours
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A peer-to-peer help and support forum for BEM with search, voting, and notification tools. BTO uses UnmetHours to support EnergyPlus and OpenStudio.
Building Energy Software Tools Directory
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Hosted by IBPSA-USA, this directory has vendor-driven content and supports images, video, ratings, reviews, and search, sort, and filter functions.
BEM Guide for Owners and Managers
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Created by Rocky Mountain Institute, this guide gives BEM clients like building owners information needed to engage with and contract BEM services.
Publications and Presentations
Staff
Dr. Amir Roth
Building Energy Modeling Technology Manager