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
Learn More
EnergyPlus is DOE's open-source state-of-the-art whole building energy simulation engine.
OpenStudio
Learn More
OpenStudio is an open-source software development kit (SDK) for energy modeling with EnergyPlus.
Spawn-of-EnergyPlus (Spawn)
Learn More
Spawn is a next-generation BEM-controls engine based on open-standards for co-simulation (FMI) and equation-based modeling (Modelica).
Building Energy Modeling Project Portfolio
Learn More
BTO's active and completed Building Energy Modeling projects.
End-Use Breakdown: The BEM Blog
Autodesk Brings Detailed EnergyPlus HVAC Simulation to Revit
Learn More
New Systems Analysis capabilities use EnergyPlus and the OpenStudio SDK to allow Revit users to simulate detailed HVAC systems.
RMI Enlists EnergyPlus to Power its Portfolio Energy Optimization Initiative
Learn More
RMI is developing a web-based platform to perform portfolio-level analysis, prioritize energy projects, and track and deliver results.
Radiance Creator Greg Ward Receives Prestigious Daylight Award 2018
Learn More
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
Learn More
FloorspaceJS is new open-source 2D floor-plan editor. It will initially complement the OpenStudio SketchUp plug-in and eventually replace it.
Resources for Modelers and Stakeholders
Unmet Hours
Learn More
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
Learn More
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
Learn More
Created by Rocky Mountain Institute, this guide gives BEM clients like building owners information needed to engage with and contract BEM services.