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Redefine building energy modelling with OpenStudio

The image shows a minimalist two‑storey house featuring cool tones and a simple geometric design. On the ground floor, there is a garage and a main entrance, complemented by small decorative plants.
Tool

Redefine building energy modelling with OpenStudio

OpenStudio drives energy design with an open platform that combines precise modelling, advanced daylight analysis, and flexible workflows for more efficient and better‑informed buildings.

Editorial Team

OpenStudio is an open‑source platform designed to facilitate building energy modelling and advanced natural lighting analysis. It brings together a set of tools compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, integrating EnergyPlus for energy simulations and Radiance for daylight studies. Its approach combines accessibility with technical rigour through graphical interfaces such as the SketchUp plug‑in, the OpenStudio Application, and ResultsViewer, which allow users to create geometries, configure complete models, and intuitively visualise simulation results. It also incorporates a parametric analysis tool that helps explore design alternatives and evaluate energy‑efficiency measures.

The ecosystem stands out for its collaborative and extensible nature. The SDK provides access through Ruby, Python, and C#, offering flexibility to researchers and developers. Through OpenStudio Measures, users can automate model transformations and apply energy‑saving strategies, relying on a wide public library of resources. The platform also supports the import of gbXML and IFC, which facilitates its integration into BIM workflows and reinforces its usefulness in detailed modelling projects. Taken together, OpenStudio consolidates itself as an open and robust tool that promotes more efficient and well‑founded energy‑design practices.

Date of release:
27/04/2020
Available tool languages :
Chinese,
English,
German,
Greek,
Italian,
Japanese,
Portuguese,
Romanian,
Spanish
Developer:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – responsible for the OpenStudio SDK
Original source: