DOE Commercial Building Benchmark Models

Panel: Commercial Buildings: Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

Authors:
Paul Torcellini, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Michael Deru, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Brent Griffith, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Kyle Benne, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Mark Halverson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
David Winiarski, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Drury Crawley, U.S. Department of Energy

Abstract

The excitement surrounding the drive to build and renovate commercial buildings to achieve exemplary and even "net zero performance," coupled with the realization that complex systems engineering is usually required to achieve such levels, has led to a broader use of computer energy simulations. To provide a consistent baseline of comparison and save time conducting such simulations, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - through three of its national laboratories - has developed a set of standard benchmark building models for new and existing buildings. These models represent a complete revision of the DOE benchmark buildings originally developed in 2006. The shapes, thermal zoning, and operation of the models are more indicative of real buildings than in the previous versions.

DOE has developed 15 benchmark buildings that represent most of the commercial building stock, across 16 locations (representing all U.S. climate zones) and with three vintages (new, pre-1980, and post-1980 construction). This paper will provide an executive summary overview of these benchmark buildings, and how they can save building analysts valuable time.

Fully documented and implemented to use with the EnergyPlus energy simulation program, the benchmark models are publicly available and new versions will be created to maintain compatibility with new releases of EnergyPlus. The benchmark buildings will form the basis for research on specific building technologies, energy code development, appliance standards, and measurement of progress toward DOE energy goals. Having a common starting point allows us to better share and compare research results and move forward to make more energy efficient buildings.