any alternative for create DOE prototype measure ?

asked 2025-05-13 18:20:06 -0500

Hello everyone, I'm currently working on my Master’s thesis, where I'm studying the use of residential buildings as thermal batteries to provide reserve services in the electricity market. To simulate the thermal performance of single-family houses and multi dwellings , I'm using OpenStudio (GUI) and EnergyPlus.

However, the "Create DOE Prototype Building" measure appears to be broken right now, and I’m unable to generate a residential baseline model using it. Could you suggest alternative workflows or resources for creating a residential building model—ideally one that can be adapted for Swedish or nordic construction practices or allows for custom geometry and thermal properties?

As someone from an electrical engineering background, I don’t have formal training in civil, thermal, or architectural modeling, so any clear guidance or recommended starting points would be especially helpful.

Any advice or shared files would be greatly appreciated!

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an alternative workflow is to use EP3, which can import complete EnergyPlus IDF files. Using EP3, you can work with the PNNL prototype building models in a graphical user interface

kwalkerman ( 2025-05-27 05:15:23 -0500 )edit

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answered 2025-06-02 22:54:05 -0500

yiyuan-jia

258 ●3 ●8 https://bigladdersoftware.com/

You might want to check out the DEER prototype models that were developed for California. They include more realistic water heater models and hot water loads, which are especially important when looking at building-grid interactions. These models are built with the Modelkit framework, which is fully transparent and could adapt to other regions based on local construction practices.

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answered 2025-05-14 14:42:15 -0500

Denis Bourgeois
3551 ●134 ●8 https://www.rd2.ca

You are likely hitting the issue mentioned here and here, related to OpenStudio v3.9.0. Can't say for sure, as you don't mention which version of OpenStudio you're using. Your best bet is to revert to an older OpenStudio version (e.g. v3.7.0) and a compatible version of the Create DOE Prototype Building measure. Recover the measure-generated OSM (e.g. run/in.osm). At least for now (until the next release).

Alternatively, you can start with the MidriseApartment model here. It was generated using the Create DOE Prototype Building measure at the time.

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answered 2025-05-15 09:11:42 -0500

Craig Simmons
593 ●12 ●7

If you are modeling single family or low-rise residential the DOE prototype measure won't have an appropriate building type for you. I would recommend using either BEopt or HPXML directly to generate residential models. The downside for multifamily is that those models are living unit-based and do not include common areas. But from the sounds of your study I don't think that would be a major setback. You would also be limited to unitzed systems (in unit heat pump or furnace for example). but unless you planned to leverage the HVAC system for thermal storage directly that is probably OK. BEopt has a lot of functionality built in, but if you really need additional OpenStudio capabilities you can carry the model into OpenStudio (App or CLI).