Question-and-Answer Resource for the Building Energy Modeling Community
Get started with the Help page
Ask Your Question

Revision history [back]

If I understand your question correctly you would like to simulate an existing shopping mall from which you have a year of measured data but would like to avoid or simplify building the model. This may be quite difficult because the data you have is the result of the geometry, construction, loads, and systems specific to that building. For reference, the traditional way one would conduct a calibrated simulation in OpenStudio is the following.

  1. Obtain the design documentation from the architect to build model geometry [SketchUp]
  2. Create spaces and assign them to thermal zones
  3. Obtain actual meteorological year (AMY) file for the site and assign to model [OpenStudio]
  4. Enter utility bill information (tutorial)
  5. Assign schedules, constructions, and loads to model objects
  6. Build the central HVAC system(s)
  7. Add zone HVAC equipment
  8. Run the model, view results, and adjust inputs to train the model to the data

In your case I would consider using a DOE Commercial Reference Building as a proxy for the vintage, type, and climate zone of your building. Currently these complete EnergyPlus models cannot be imported directly into OpenStudio. However, the IDFs can be imported into SketchUp and/or OpenStudio which will preserve everything but the HVAC systems I believe. If you can wait until June OpenStudio Prototype Buildings may be available with the next release.

After updating the model inputs for the data you have instead of training your model to monthly energy use I would use monthly energy use intensity calculated from your utility data. From here you could (1) use the built in OS utility calibration feature shown in the tutorial link above or (2) use the OpenStudio Analysis Spreadsheet to calibrate your model using this example.

If I understand your question correctly you would like to simulate an existing shopping mall from which you have a year of measured data but would like to avoid or simplify building the model. This may be quite difficult because the data you have is the result of the geometry, construction, loads, and systems specific to that building. For reference, the traditional way one would conduct a calibrated simulation in OpenStudio is the following.

  1. Obtain the design documentation from the architect to build model geometry [SketchUp]
  2. Create spaces and assign them to thermal zones
  3. Obtain actual meteorological year (AMY) file for the site and assign to model [OpenStudio]
  4. Enter utility bill information (tutorial)
  5. Assign schedules, constructions, and loads to model objects
  6. Build the central HVAC system(s)
  7. Add system(s) and add zone HVAC equipment
  8. Run the model, view results, and adjust inputs to train the model to the data

In your case I would consider using a DOE Commercial Reference Building as a proxy for the vintage, type, and climate zone of your building. Currently these complete EnergyPlus models cannot be imported directly into OpenStudio. However, the IDFs can be imported into SketchUp and/or OpenStudio which will preserve everything but the HVAC systems I believe. If you can wait until June OpenStudio Prototype Buildings may be available with the next release.

After updating the model inputs for the data you have instead of training your model to monthly energy use I would use monthly energy use intensity calculated from your utility data. From here you could (1) use the built in OS utility calibration feature shown in the tutorial link above or (2) use the OpenStudio Analysis Spreadsheet to calibrate your model using this example.