Rapid Energy Model Development for Residential Energy Simulation

This is a web-based, energy efficiency recommendation engine providing a customized “path to zero-net energy” for any existing home. Homeowners can use this technology to quickly check which energy efficiency options make most sense for their individual homes, to reduce their energy use and move them closer to the goal of a zero-net energy (ZNE) home. This tool uses current technologies in building energy simulation and combines it in a novel way with other recent developments in 3D building data from aerial photography and cloud computing, to develop individual 'energy models' of each home. The process is fully automated and repeatable, to allow generation of energy models at a massive scale, from individual homes to neighborhoods and cities. Generating data at this scale provides a unique insight into energy efficiency opportunities in the existing homes sector.