Abstract
The EnergyPlus simulation engine supports modeling and simulation of thermal energy storage (TES) systems in several ways, including using the Python-EMS feature, which extends the operation of the engine with custom code written in Python. Creation of models using this feature can be tedious and error prone, with the connection of the model components to the Python code a particularly troublesome area. The stor4build Python package simplifies this process by modifying an input model to add a selected TES technology (implemented with the Python-EMS feature) and runs the simulation. The package leverages the OpenStudio middleware software development kit to automate this process as much as possible, eliminating potential errors and simplifying usage of EnergyPlus. The package provides objects, functions, and OpenStudio measures that implement the necessary operations to automate the creation of EnergyPlus models that integrate TES technologies with building systems. In addition, two user interfaces are provided: a command line interface and a web application programming interface. The automated process implemented by the package greatly simplifies the modeling and simulation process, allowing for parametric studies to be executed much more efficiently and effectively. The OpenStudio-based workflow is also very flexible and will allow for future additions of new technologies.
- Developers:
-
.png "ORCID")
[1]
;
[2]
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Release Date:
- 2025-11-11
- Project Type:
- Open Source, Publicly Available Repository
- Software Type:
- Scientific
- Programming Languages:
-
Python
- Licenses:
-
BSD 3-clause "New" or "Revised" License
- Sponsoring Org.:
-
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies OfficePrimary Award/Contract Number:AC05-00OR22725
- Code ID:
- 170060
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Country of Origin:
- United States
Citation Formats
DeGraw, Jason W., and Bonnema, Eric.
stor4build.
Computer Software.
https://github.com/Stor4Build/stor4build.
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office.
11 Nov. 2025.
Web.
doi:10.11578/dc.20251112.1.
DeGraw, Jason W., & Bonnema, Eric.
(2025, November 11).
stor4build.
[Computer software].
https://github.com/Stor4Build/stor4build.
https://doi.org/10.11578/dc.20251112.1.
DeGraw, Jason W., and Bonnema, Eric.
"stor4build." Computer software.
November 11, 2025.
https://github.com/Stor4Build/stor4build.
https://doi.org/10.11578/dc.20251112.1.
@misc{
doecode_170060,
title = {stor4build},
author = {DeGraw, Jason W. and Bonnema, Eric},
abstractNote = {The EnergyPlus simulation engine supports modeling and simulation of thermal energy storage (TES) systems in several ways, including using the Python-EMS feature, which extends the operation of the engine with custom code written in Python. Creation of models using this feature can be tedious and error prone, with the connection of the model components to the Python code a particularly troublesome area. The stor4build Python package simplifies this process by modifying an input model to add a selected TES technology (implemented with the Python-EMS feature) and runs the simulation. The package leverages the OpenStudio middleware software development kit to automate this process as much as possible, eliminating potential errors and simplifying usage of EnergyPlus. The package provides objects, functions, and OpenStudio measures that implement the necessary operations to automate the creation of EnergyPlus models that integrate TES technologies with building systems. In addition, two user interfaces are provided: a command line interface and a web application programming interface. The automated process implemented by the package greatly simplifies the modeling and simulation process, allowing for parametric studies to be executed much more efficiently and effectively. The OpenStudio-based workflow is also very flexible and will allow for future additions of new technologies.},
doi = {10.11578/dc.20251112.1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11578/dc.20251112.1},
howpublished = {[Computer Software] \url{https://doi.org/10.11578/dc.20251112.1}},
year = {2025},
month = {nov}
}