Build an EnergyPlus Infiltration Schedule Retrofit Optimizer
Adjust air infiltration schedules and baseline flow rates in EnergyPlus epJSON files. Model building envelope sealing retrofits to reduce winter heating losses while maintaining indoor fresh air rates.
What you are building
The core problem, expected build, and operating context for this challenge.
Adjust air infiltration schedules and baseline flow rates in EnergyPlus epJSON files. Model building envelope sealing retrofits to reduce winter heating losses while maintaining indoor fresh air rates.
Building retrofit energy analyst
Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects.
Evaluate baseline air leakage flow rates against envelope tightness test data.
Apply calibrated infiltration reduction schedules reflecting weather-stripping retrofits.
Export updated epJSON models ready for EnergyPlus whole-building simulation runs.
Retrofit modeling UI showing 24-hour infiltration curves, zone infiltration tables, and simulation export controls.
Download standard Department of Energy commercial prototype epJSON models from energyplus.net or use synthetic epJSON files. Starter examples below are synthetic. They are not downloaded records.
EnergyPlus Uses the EnergyPlus epJSON input schema and ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate object definitions.
optuna, pydantic, jsonschema. Optuna optimizes multi-parameter infiltration flow coefficients to match target envelope tightness constraints. Local or hosted LLM with schema validation capabilities to ensure epJSON syntax conformance.
Submit runnable source, pinned dependencies, setup commands, a working interface, example outputs, and a recorded end-to-end demo. Include tests and an action log.
Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema.
Calculates percent reduction in peak infiltration flow rates across thermal zones.
Rejects infiltration adjustments that breach minimum mechanical ventilation standards.
```json [ { "input": { "zone_name": "Perimeter_ZN_1", "baseline_infiltration_m3s": 0.045, "retrofit_package": "Aerosol_Envelope_Sealing", "target_reduction_pct": 35, "min_ventilation_threshold_m3s": 0.015 }, "expected_output": { "zone_name": "Perimeter_ZN_1", "retrofitted_infiltration_m3s": 0.02925, "status": "APPLIED", "epjson_patch": { "ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate": { "Perimeter_ZN_1_Infil": { "design_volume_flow_rate": 0.02925, "schedule_name": "Retrofit_Infiltration_Sch" } } } } }, { "input": { "zone_name": "Core_ZN_1", "baseline_infiltration_m3s": 0.02, "retrofit_package": "Aggressive_Caulking", "target_reduction_pct": 75, "min_ventilation_threshold_m3s": 0.01 }, "expected_output": { "zone_name": "Core_ZN_1", "retrofitted_infiltration_m3s": 0.01, "status": "CLAMPED_TO_MIN_VENTILATION", "epjson_patch": { "ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate": { "Core_ZN_1_Infil": { "design_volume_flow_rate": 0.01, "schedule_name": "Retrofit_Infiltration_Sch" } } } } } ] ```
Generates simulation input files only; does not actuate physical building HVAC systems or modify dampers. Use mock external writes. Require human review before any real deployment.
Participation guide
Generates simulation input files only; does not actuate physical building HVAC systems or modify dampers. Use mock external writes and human review.
How work is evaluated
Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema. Calculates percent reduction in peak infiltration flow rates across thermal zones. Rejects infiltration adjustments that breach minimum mechanical ventilation standards.
Runnable source, pinned dependencies, setup commands, working interface, example outputs, recorded demo, tests, and action logs.
Challenge datasets
Public datasets, plus the private datasets you have access to.
How submissions are scored
These dimensions define what the evaluator checks and which criteria separate a passable run from a strong one.
Complete workflow
Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects. Evaluate baseline air leakage flow rates against envelope tightness test data. Apply calibrated infiltration reduction schedules reflecting weather-stripping retrofits. Export updated epJSON models ready for EnergyPlus whole-building simulation runs.
Missing or incorrect.
Partly complete, with documented gaps.
Complete, with reproducible evidence.
Correctness and evidence
Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema. Calculates percent reduction in peak infiltration flow rates across thermal zones. Rejects infiltration adjustments that breach minimum mechanical ventilation standards.
Missing or incorrect.
Partly complete, with documented gaps.
Complete, with reproducible evidence.
Review interface
Retrofit modeling UI showing 24-hour infiltration curves, zone infiltration tables, and simulation export controls.
Missing or incorrect.
Partly complete, with documented gaps.
Complete, with reproducible evidence.
Safe execution
Generates simulation input files only; does not actuate physical building HVAC systems or modify dampers.
This dimension contributes its full weight only when the submission satisfies the requirement. Partial credit is not awarded.
What you should walk away with
Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects.
Evaluate baseline air leakage flow rates against envelope tightness test data.
Apply calibrated infiltration reduction schedules reflecting weather-stripping retrofits.
Export updated epJSON models ready for EnergyPlus whole-building simulation runs.
Reference links and supporting material
Download standard Department of Energy commercial prototype epJSON models from energyplus.net or use synthetic epJSON files. Supplied starter examples are synthetic, not source extracts.
Challenge setup
Configuration summary for this challenge.
Challenge input
Input details are not configured.
Optuna
Hyperparameter Optimization
Evaluated output
No output checks are configured.
- Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects. Evaluate baseline air...
- Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema. Calculates percent...
- Retrofit modeling UI showing 24-hour infiltration curves, zone infiltration tables, and simulation export c...
- 2 public reference cases
- 1 configured tool
Summary shows the first task, up to three tools, and up to three evidence items. Open the technical recipe to view all configured items.
View technical recipe
Configured tools
- Optuna · Optional
Evaluation contract
- Complete workflow · Weight 40
- Correctness and evidence · Weight 30
- Review interface · Weight 20
- Safe execution · Weight 10
Reference cases
- 2 public reference cases
Workflow tasks
No workflow tasks are configured.
Recipe freeze marker
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