An Open-Source Simulation and Data Management Tool for EnergyPlus Building Models

TL;DR

This paper introduces an open-source, GUI-based tool with a database that simplifies EnergyPlus building model simulations, data management, and analysis, making large-scale building energy research more efficient.

Contribution

It presents a novel integrated framework combining a user-friendly interface and database for streamlined EnergyPlus simulation workflows.

Findings

Facilitates data generation, aggregation, and visualization for EnergyPlus models.

Improves efficiency in managing large simulation datasets.

Supports data-driven building energy modeling.

Abstract

We present a new open-source, GUI-based application created using Plotly-Dash, along with an integrated PostgreSQL-based relational database, developed to streamline EnergyPlus building model simulation workflows. The application facilitates data generation, aggregation (across thermal zones), and visualization based on customizable user preferences, while the database efficiently stores and retrieves complex simulation data generated by EnergyPlus. We demonstrate the need for this application and database, emphasizing how existing approaches for generating, managing, and analyzing EnergyPlus simulation data can be cumbersome, particularly when handling a large number of building models with varying simulation setups. This integrated framework enables building energy engineers and researchers to simplify their EnergyPlus simulations, manage generated simulation data, perform data analyses, and support data-driven modeling tasks.