AutoBPS-Prototype: A web-based toolkit to automatically generate prototype building energy models with customizable efficiency values in China

Abstract

Prototype building energy models are significant in building energy performance evaluation and energy efficiency potential analysis. However, their establishment process is time-consuming and error-prone. This study aims to develop a user-friendly toolkit, AutoBPS-Prototype, to automatically establish prototype building energy models in China. A web-based graphical user interface of AutoBPS-Prototype was designed and implemented. AutoBPS-Prototype only needs to define the climate zone, building type, and standard vintage to generate a default prototype building energy model based on a pre-built library. In addition, it can generate user-defined models through customized important efficiency values. The OpenStudio Standards used to create the U.S. Department of Energy prototype building models based on the ASHRAE 90.1 standards was extended to cover more prototype building energy models in China, including 20 sub-climate zones, 22 building types and four code and standard vintages. The Chinese building standards were used for the efficiency settings. Besides, case studies were conducted. Firstly, 20 prototype building models of four building types in five cities were generated. The credibility of the model results simulated by EnergyPlus was verified through comparison with measured data. Then, the impact of spatiotemporal differences on building energy consumption was analyzed through simulation of the models using different standard vintages in different climate zones. Finally, a baseline and four upgrade scenarios were designed to explore the impact of various upgrades on building energy consumption. This toolkit aims to assist users in conducting rapid research on building energy efficiency improvement. More toolkit features are under development for retrofit analysis, demand response analysis, and photovoltaics system generation estimation.