Current Features

The OpenStudio Application uses the OpenStudio SDK. The features that are available in the current major release are described below.

As of OpenStudio Application Version 1.3.0

Building Geometry/3D CAD

Import geometry from gbXML files (from Revit, GreenBuildingStudio, Trace700, etc.)
Import geometry from EnergyPlus files (IDF)
Import model from SDD files (California Energy Commission)
Import geometry from Industry Foundation Class files (IFC)
Assign and visually inspect space types assignments
Define thermal zones and add/remove spaces
Assign and see building envelope constructions

FloorspceJS

Draw 2D building geometry (that will be extruded to 3D) using the built-in FloorspaceJS interface
Trace images of floor plans, or maps
Building envelope, shading on windows, shading from other buildings, etc.
Assign constructions, space types, thermal zones
Add daylighting sensors

Sketchup Plugin

Draw 3D building geometry using free plugin for SketchUp
Building envelope, shading on windows, shading from other buildings, etc.
Draw detailed shapes, trace floor plans, or a combination
Use wizard to create standard shapes (H, L, E, Courtyard, Rectangle)
Add daylighting sensors

Building Geometry Tool Matrix

The following table is intended to provide users with some guidance around which of the primary geometry tools may be best suited to a given modeling scenario. In general, if the model will suffice with relatively simple geometry elements and doesn't require the use of external 3D drawing files or imported geometry from other models, then FloorspaceJS is typically quicker and creates simpler elements that run faster. If there is a need to represent more complicated 3D shapes or work with thrid party drawing and model files, then the SketchUp Plugin may be needed. Also keep in mind that geoetry created in FloorspaceJS can be brought into SketchUp (as an OSM file), but FloorspaceJS will not recognize geometry from any other source. So in some cases it may make sense to begin simpler forms in FloorspaceJS and transition to SketchUp for later, more detailed representations.

Feature	FloorspaceJS	SketchUp Plugin
Trace 2D Floorplans	X	X
Assign Thermal Zones, Space Types, Construction Sets	X	X
Add Windows and Doors	X	X
Add Daylight Controls	X	X
Building and Window Shading	X	X
Smooth Transitions Between OS App and Geometry Editor	X	+
Draw Complex 3D Shapes		X
Import IDF, gbXML, OSM, SDD		X
Leverage 3rd Party CAD Files		X
Add Detailed Daylighting Analysis Elements		X
Pugin-specific OS Measures		X

+ The User may move back and forth between the OS App and the SketchUp Plugin, but is more likely to generate model errors in the process unless they are careful.

Building Constructions and Materials

Specify default materials for each type of surface and subsurface (exterior walls, windows, floors, etc.) in building
Specify detailed or simple window properties
Specify and attach screens, shades, and blinds to windows
Specify and create daylight redirection devices (louvers and films)
Specify and create vegetated roofs
Specify and create air walls
Specify and create constructions appropriate for hydronic radiant heating and cooling constructions
Built-in library of building constructions (walls, windows, doors, floors, etc.) for all DOE reference building types and vintages (pre-1980, 1980-2004), ASHRAE standard prototype buildings (189.1-2009, 90.1-2004, 90.1-2007, 90.1-2010, 90.1-2013), and DEER building types (pre-1975, 1985, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017)
Online library of building materials and their modeling properties from ASHRAE Handbook

Building Loads

Specify people, lights, plug loads, gas loads (cooking, etc.), steam loads, internal mass, water using equipment, ventilation requirements, and infiltration
Can input loads per area or add actual quantities to accommodate schematic and detailed design
Built in library of space types (loads and associated schedules) for DOE reference buildings for all vintages (pre-1980, 1980-2004), ASHRAE standard prototype buildings (189.1-2009, 90.1-2004, 90.1-2007, 90.1-2010, 90.1-2013), and DEER building types (pre-1975, 1985, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017)
Can apply loads in one place (space type) and apply throughout the building

Grid View for Thermal Zones, Space Types, Spaces, Design Days, and Refrigeration Cases

Viewing and editing your model in a grid view allows you to see many objects at once and compare settings.

HVAC

Graphical representation of HVAC systems, zones, and their connections
Drag-and-drop components onto diagram and click to edit
HVAC system templates for ASHRAE Appendix G system types
Graphical support for creating customized 'single-duct' or 'dual-duct' air systems or plants

Hot, Chilled, and Condenser Water Systems

Hot water boilers (all fuels)
District heating and cooling
Set-temperature heating/cooling source
Single, two-speed, and variable-speed cooling towers
Single and two-speed fluid coolers and evaporative fluid coolers
Chillers (electric, absorption, indirect absorption, and central heat pump)
Vertical and horizontal ground heat exchanger (bore fields & trenches for ground-source heat pumps)
Water-to-water heat pumps
Bypass pipes
Constant and variable speed pumps, both individual and headered
Fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers (for primary/secondary pumping and waterside economizers, etc.)
Hot, chilled, and condenser water system controls
Staging of equipment (based on load range, part-load, sequential, etc.)
Solar hot water (with and without storage and integrated PV)
Pipes (indoor heat loss, outdoor heat loss, or adiabatic)
Load profile (model plant behavior with loads from a schedule)
Ice and chilled water storage

Air System Components

Constant speed and variable speed supply, return and exhaust fans
Supply and return plenums
Packaged unitary equipment
Dual-duct CV and VAV systems, including customization
Changeover bypass (VVT) systems
Multi-stage unitary equipment (used with staged thermostats)
Outdoor air intake with economizers (all types) and damper control
Chilled water cooling coils
One-speed, two-speed, multi-speed, and variable-speed DX cooling coils, including humidity controls
One-speed, multi-speed, and variable-speed DX heating coils (heat pumps)
Water-to-air heat pumps
Gas, electric, hot water and DX (heat pump) heating and/or preheat coils
Steam humidifiers (electrically powered) used with zone humidistats
Direct and indirect evaporative coolers
Sensible and latent heat recovery
VAV-Reheat and CAV-Reheat terminals (gas, electric, and hot water reheat coils)
VAV terminals without reheat
Series and parallel fan powered boxes with reheat (all fuel types)
Diffusers
Two-pipe and four-pipe chilled beams (active and passive)
Four-pipe induction terminals

Air System Controls

Controls for all air systems:
- Air aystem availability manager controls
  - Scheduled on/off
  - Hybrid ventilation controls
  - Night ventilation controls
  - Hybrid ventilation controls
  - Night-cycle controls (whole system and/or terminal fans)
  - Optimum start controls
  - Differential thermostat
  - High temperature turn on/off
  - Low temperature turn on/off
- Outdoor and supply air temperature/humidity controls
  - Scheduled supply air temp
  - Supply air temp reset based on OA
  - Supply air temp follow OA Temp
  - Supply air humidity minimum / maximum with deadband
- Demand-controlled ventilation controls
Controls for single and multizone VAV air systems:
- Scheduled supply air temp
- Supply air temp reset based on OA
- Supply air temp reset based on zone temp (warmest)
- Supply air flow reset based on zone temp (warmest)
- Supply air humidity minimum/maximum (critical zone or average of zones)
- Single-zone VAV heat (one control zone, many slaves)
  - Heating only
  - Cooling only
  - Both heating and cooling

Zone-level Heating and Cooling Systems

Unit heaters (all fuels)
Unit ventilators
Energy recovery ventilators
Dehumidifiers
Low temp radiant heating (electric, variable, and constant flow water)
Low temp radiant cooling (variable and constant flow water)
PTAC (DX cooling + fan + all heating fuels)
PTHP (DX heating/cooling + fan + electric backup heat)
Water-source heat pump
Air-source heat pump
Exhaust fans
Four pipe fan coils (may be supplied via DOAS system)
Electric and hot-water baseboards
High temperature radiant heaters (gas and electric)
Zone-to-zone transfer air (zone air mixing)

Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

Condenser plus zone-level terminals
Heat recovery add/or heat pump VRF
Air-cooled, evaporatively-cooled or water-cooled condensing units
Piping correction factors account for performance degradation estimates
Load, zone or scheduled thermostat priorities

Commercial Refrigeration

DX refrigeration systems
Cascading DX refrigeration systems
Fluid-filled DX secondary refrigeration systems
Cases
Walk-in freezers
Compressors
Air, water, and evaporatively-cooled condensers
Liquid-suction heat exchangers and mechanical subcoolers
Heat-recovery to domestic hot water systems (desuperheater)
Heat-recovery to unitary air systems (desuperheater)

Domestic Water Systems

Hot water heaters
- Tank type/tankless water heaters (all fuels)
- Heat pump water heaters
- Stratified tank water heaters
- Storage tank fed from boiler(s)/heat exchanger(s)
Solar hot water (flat plate or integral collectors) for pre-heating
Constant speed and/or variable speed recirculation/booster pumps
Equipment that uses warm water (showers, faucets, etc.), can specify mixed water temp
Equipment that uses cold water only

Daylighting

Add daylighting control points via the SketchUp plugin or OpenStudio Application
Create interior partitions and glare sensors for modeling daylight analysis with improved accuracy, using the Sketchup Plugin
Create and configure window shading controls for modeling daylight analysis using the Sketchup plugin
Insert illuminance map for visualizing daylight analysis using the Sketchup plugin
Use built-in OpenStudio measure to run daylighting analysis using Radiance, state-of-the-art ray-tracing daylight simulation engine without making a separate model
Configure daylight analysis parameters used by radiance simulation
Lights in the EnergyPlus Model controlled based on daylight available per radiance

Custom Controls

Within EnergyPlus, advanced controls that are not built-in can be implemented utilizing the EnergyManagementSystem (EMS) suite of objects. This involves defining Sensors and Actuators that interact with building parameters through Programs which are written in the EnergyPlus Runtime Language (ERL), which is based on a common building-controls language. OpenStudio Application supports the creation of EMS programs.

Location-Specific Information

Find typical weather data and ASHRAE design conditions for most locations in the world
Use actual weather data (AMY) from a variety of vendors/sources
Store ASHRAE/CEC climate zone to trigger calculations within measures

Economics

Full lifecycle costing (NIST Handbook 135 compliant) including built-in EIA fuel escalation rates and inflation
Adjustable analysis period length
Add capital, recurring O&M, salvage, and replacement costs to model using measures
Lifecycle is adjustable per-cost (IE windows can last longer than lamps)
Add utility rates (which include time-of-use, demand charges, ratchets, seasonal values, etc.) to model using measures

Import and Export Options

IDF import (geometry, constructions, loads, thermal zones, and schedules only)
IDF export (full model including HVAC)
gbXML import (geometry, constructions, thermal zones, and schedules only)
gbXML export (geometry, constructions, and thermal zones only)
SDD import (simulation format - full model including HVAC)
SDD export (input format - geometry, constructions, and thermal zones only)
IFC import (geometry only)
Import resources (materials, constructions, loads, spacetypes) from .osm file
Import surfaces, subsurfaces, spaces, and thermal zones from eQuest models using a Measure

Analysis of Existing Buildings

Enter utility bills for all fuel types in building
Run model using actual weather data (AMY)
Automatically compare model results to bills and shows goodness-of-fit by fuel type
Automatically show whether goodness of fit meets common calibration standards (FEMP, ASHRAE)

Libraries

Space types (people, lights, equipment, ventilation, infiltration, schedules) for DOE reference buildings for all vintages (pre-1980, 1980-2004, and 2004), ASHRAE standard prototype buildings (189.1-2009, 90.1-2004, 90.1-2007, 90.1-2010, 90.1-2013), and DEER building types (pre-1975, 1985, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017)
Building constructions (walls, windows, doors, floors, etc.) for DOE reference buildings for all vintages (pre-1980, 1980-2004, and 2004), ASHRAE standard prototype buildings (189.1-2009, 90.1-2004, 90.1-2007, 90.1-2010, 90.1-2013), and DEER building types (pre-1975, 1985, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017)
Extensive online library of building materials from ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals
Extensive online library of weather files and design day conditions

Parametric Analysis Using PAT

OpenStudio Measures provide reliable and repeatable mechanism to apply transforms to models
Eliminates ambiguity and user error; all rules encapsulated in measure itself
More than 316 measures available online and always growing
Write measure once and apply to many projects
Perform complex ECMs, like full HVAC replacement, easily
Quickly access online and local libraries of measures from drag-and-drop interface
Edit user inputs to control how measure modifies the model
Create meaningful results, ready for inclusion in reports to design team, building owners, etc.

QAQC

Measures can be used to check for common modeling errors
Users don't have to understand to use; gives expert review to junior modelers more inexpensively
Automate key checks for utility regulators to keep up quality
Lower time spent by reviewers on mundane checks; frees time to focus on real issues
Users can modify Generic QAQC Measure to create custom checks

Reporting

Measures can be used to create custom reports in HTML format (view in any web browser)
Allows users to quickly visualize and summarize data for different audiences
Reports are shareable via email
Reports can be simple or highly interactive using standard JavaScript Libraries

Cloud Computing Using PAT

Any user with an Amazon account can run simulations on cloud with 1 click
Very affordable vs. engineer's time (16 simulations in parallel for ~$2.00/hr)
Can run up to 300 simulations in parallel (costs scale in 16-processor increments)
Enables small firms to access cloud computing without upfront hardware costs

Online database called BCL (Building Component Library) can be used to share measures
BCL can be used to share building components
Instantaneous world-wide distribution and updating of content
Allows utilities to ensure uniformity and best-practices across many energy consulting firms