Building Energy Modeling with OpenStudio: A Practical Guide for Students and Professionals

Larry Brackney · Andrew Parker · Daniel Macumber · Kyle Benne

May 2018 · Springer

About this ebook

This textbook teaches the fundamentals of building energy modeling and analysis using open source example applications built with the US DOE’s OpenStudio modeling platform and EnergyPlus simulation engine. Designed by researchers at US National Laboratories to support a new generation of high performance buildings, EnergyPlus and OpenStudio are revolutionizing how building energy modeling is taught in universities and applied by professional architects and engineers around the world. The authors, all researchers at National Renewable Energy Laboratory and members of the OpenStudio software development team, present modeling concepts using open source software that may be generally applied using a variety of software tools commonly used by design professionals. The book also discusses modeling process automation in the context of OpenStudio Measures—small self-contained scripts that can transform energy models and their data—to save time and effort. They illustrate key concepts through a sophisticated example problem that evolves in complexity throughout the book. The text also examines advanced topics including daylighting, parametric analysis, uncertainty analysis, design optimization, and model calibration. Building Energy Modeling with OpenStudio teaches students to become sophisticated modelers rather than simply proficient software users. It supports undergraduate and graduate building energy courses in Architecture, and in Mechanical, Civil, Architectural, and Sustainability Engineering.

About the author

Dr. Larry J. Brackney joined the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 2009, and works in the Commercial Buildings Research Group as a project manager leading the development of building energy analysis tools for the United States Department of Energy (DOE). He specializes in system modeling, control and embedded systems design, and analysis-led design process.. Prior to joining NREL, Dr. Brackney taught electrical engineering at the University of Canterbury, and worked extensively in the automotive sector developing combustion and power train controls. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Andrew Parker joined NREL in 2010, and focuses on improving the usability of building energy analysis and design tools. He is an applications engineer for DOE’s OpenStudio project, and regularly works with third-party developers, utilities, and architecture and engineering firms to create innovative energy analysis software and workflows. He earned his BS in Textile Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Daniel Macumber joined NREL in 2008 and is a lead software developer for DOE’s OpenStudio building energy modeling project. Daniel’s areas of interest include building geometry representation, software interoperability, and urban-scale analysis. Prior to joining NREL, he developed algorithms and software for object tracking. He earned his MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

Kyle Benne joined NREL in 2007, and is a lead software developer for DOE’s OpenStudio building energy analysis platform and EnergyPlus simulation engine. Kyle specializes in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems modeling and analysis. Prior to joining NREL, he was a graduate researcher on fluid mechanics and numerical simulation topics. He earned his MS in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology.