Is there a specific list of measures that we can pre-download?
- No. Measures are already in the GitLab AutoBEM scratch folder. If additional measures are needed, they can be download/created if needed.
Where can I look to find new/supported measures?
How do you differentiate between different buildings?
- A key is used for each building type and standard. AutoBEM uses this key to create the OSM. Ex. FullServicerestaurant90.1-2007
How do you modify parameters for different buildings?
- Currently AutoBEM is used for large scale simulations, so it uses the same building characteristics for a specific building type + standard combination. Subcategories are a work in progress and can be modified by the user.
What building information do you need to run AutoBEM?
- ID, State, CZ, Area2D, Centroid, Footprint2D, Height, BuildingType, WWR_surfaces, NumFloors, Area, Standard
What projection is used for Footprint2D?
- EPSG:4326
What are the units for area/height?
- Sqft/ft
How can AutoBEM be modified for individual building simulations?
- Change the identifier key in HVAC_space_types.json to the building ID, and modify the AutoBEM code to use the ID as the lookup.
How do I use specific measures in AutoBEM?
- AutoBEM allows the implementation of various measures, such as ‘Set Heat Pump Water Heater’ and ‘ReduceSpaceInfiltrationByPercentage’. These measures can be accessed and modified in the measures directory, and users may need to edit corresponding XML or script files.
Can AutoBEM simulate different heating fuel types?
- Yes, AutoBEM can simulate different heating fuel types. This may require modifying the central AC definition or using specific measures like ‘gas_to_electric_hvac’ for conversion.
What heating model is primarily used for residential buildings in AutoBEM?
- In AutoBEM, for residential buildings, the model used is “Central AC,”
What is the role of the ‘replacement.idf’ file in specific project contexts?
- The ‘replacement.idf’ file likely contains configurations or modifications specific to certain projects, particularly concerning electric heating outputs.
How do the measures directory as referenced by generate_geometry_CZ_THETA.py and the scratch/measures directory referenced by scratch/run_measure_on_osm_files.py differ?
- The measures directory as referenced by generate_geometry_CZ_THETA.py is the default setting for AutoBEM and the scratch/measures directory referenced by scratch/run_measure_on_osm_files.py is the directory for adding any measure which you may create/add/modify for specific projects.
What is the purpose of the measures directory in AutoBEM?
- The measures directory in AutoBEM is used for implementing specific energy-saving measures or modifications in the building models. This includes standard measures and project-specific customizations.
How can new measures be added or modified for specific projects in AutoBEM?
- New measures for specific projects can be added or modified in a particular directory, allowing for customization or creation of measures tailored to project-specific needs.
Can a residential building in AutoBEM be specified to exclusively use electric or gas heating in the central AC model?
- Yes, it is possible to specify a residential building to use exclusively electric or gas heating in the central AC model, but this requires changing the central AC definition, which is not typically recommended.
Is the ‘gas_to_electric_hvac’ measure in the scratch/measures directory relevant for changing a building’s heating type from gas to electric?
- Yes, using the ‘gas_to_electric_hvac’ measure from the scratch/measures directory could be an easier way to switch a building’s heating type from gas to electric.
For implementing measures such as Air sealing & weatherization, ASHP, heat pump water heaters, and LED retrofits, is it necessary to create these measures?
- Yes, these measures are not existing in AutoBEM and would need to be created, possibly using tools like OpenStudio.
Can a solar measure be modeled using the “apply_solar_inverter” in AutoBEM?
- Yes, solar measures can be modeled using “apply_solar_inverter,” but it’s important to double-check the arguments for using this measure to ensure accuracy.
What is the best way to model energy star appliances in AutoBEM?
- Modeling energy star appliances in AutoBEM is complex and requires understanding which HVAC systems are related to energy-star appliances. It’s not just about applying measures like smart thermostats and smart water heaters; specific measure development and customization from a model development perspective are necessary.
What tools are recommended for creating custom CSV files for AutoBEM?
- To create custom CSV files for AutoBEM, especially for getting building shapefiles given coordinates or an address, the use of external tools like geopandas is recommended.
What software or method is recommended for editing infiltration rates in AutoBEM?
- For changing infiltration rates, it’s suggested to use either Eppy for individual editing or a specific measure (like ‘ReduceSpaceInfiltrationByPercentage’) for large group editing.
Where can the default .idd file be found for use with AutoBEM and Eppy?
- The default .idd file for AutoBEM can be found in the installation directory of OpenStudio, typically under a path like /openstudio-3.2.0/EnergyPlus/Energy+.idd.
How can new measures like ASHP, air sealing, heat pump water heaters, and LED retrofits be implemented in AutoBEM?
- To implement new measures such as ASHP, air sealing, heat pump water heaters, and LED retrofits in AutoBEM, it might require creating additional measures using OpenStudio or adjusting parameters using Eppy.
How can shapefiles be sourced for the AutoBEM workflow?
- To source shapefiles for the AutoBEM workflow, one approach is to perform a spatial join between coordinates and the MAv1/v2 Centroid latitude/longitude to obtain the MA data row. From there, the Footprint2D column can be interpreted as a shapefile, and the WWR (Window-to-Wall Ratio) property associated with the row can be assigned.
What is the method for imputing or looking up Footprint2D and WWR surfaces in AutoBEM?
- For imputing or looking up Footprint2D and WWR surfaces in AutoBEM, the suggested method involves spatially joining coordinates with relevant centroid data to identify corresponding rows and then interpreting these rows to define shapefiles and assign WWR properties.