Build an EnergyPlus Natural Ventilation Damper Optimizer
Evaluate whole-building mixed-mode ventilation strategies against EnergyPlus ZoneVentilation objects. Calibrate damper opening schedules to minimize mechanical cooling while maintaining fresh air rates.
What you are building
The core problem, expected build, and operating context for this challenge.
Evaluate whole-building mixed-mode ventilation strategies against EnergyPlus ZoneVentilation objects. Calibrate damper opening schedules to minimize mechanical cooling while maintaining fresh air rates.
Building Enclosure Commissioning Engineer
Ingest local weather data and baseline mechanical cooling schedules.
Retrieve ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate objects from baseline EnergyPlus epJSON model.
Calculate optimal natural ventilation temperature thresholds for automated dampers, setting minimum indoor temperature equal to outdoor temperature if cooler than the setpoint.
Update epJSON parameters and emit optimization summary for simulation verification.
Input form for local weather metrics paired with epJSON diff view and cooling reduction charts.
Reference standard DOE small office epJSON prototype models from EnergyPlus distributions. Example JSONs are simplified synthetic app records, not complete official schema files. Starter examples below are synthetic. They are not downloaded records.
EnergyPlus Applies EnergyPlus epJSON schema definitions for ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate and Zone objects.
optuna, pydantic, fastapi. Optuna efficiently optimizes ventilation model parameters against target cooling temperature profiles. Model with strong engineering numerical reasoning to explain calibration residuals and write patches.
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.
Reads and modifies epJSON ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate structures.
Accurately calculates optimal ventilation threshold temperatures based on outdoor conditions.
Emits updated epJSON configuration that parses without schema violations.
```json [ { "input": { "zone_name": "Perimeter_ZN_1", "cooling_setpoint_c": 24, "outdoor_temp_c": 20, "baseline_epjson": { "ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate": { "Vent_ZN_1": { "min_indoor_temperature": 22 } } } }, "expected_output": { "optimized": true, "recommended_min_indoor_temp_c": 20 } }, { "input": { "zone_name": "Perimeter_ZN_2", "cooling_setpoint_c": 24, "outdoor_temp_c": 28, "baseline_epjson": { "ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate": { "Vent_ZN_2": { "min_indoor_temperature": 22 } } } }, "expected_output": { "optimized": false, "recommended_min_indoor_temp_c": null } } ] ```
Simulation parameter outputs are engineering drafts; certified simulationists must validate building energy ratings. Use mock external writes. Require human review before any real deployment.
Participation guide
Simulation parameter outputs are engineering drafts; certified simulationists must validate building energy ratings. Use mock external writes and human review.
How work is evaluated
Reads and modifies epJSON ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate structures. Accurately calculates optimal ventilation threshold temperatures based on outdoor conditions. Emits updated epJSON configuration that parses without schema violations.
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 local weather data and baseline mechanical cooling schedules. Retrieve ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate objects from baseline EnergyPlus epJSON model. Calculate optimal natural ventilation temperature thresholds for automated dampers, setting minimum indoor temperature equal to outdoor temperature if cooler than the setpoint. Update epJSON parameters and emit optimization summary for simulation verification.
Missing or incorrect.
Partly complete, with documented gaps.
Complete, with reproducible evidence.
Correctness and evidence
Reads and modifies epJSON ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate structures. Accurately calculates optimal ventilation threshold temperatures based on outdoor conditions. Emits updated epJSON configuration that parses without schema violations.
Missing or incorrect.
Partly complete, with documented gaps.
Complete, with reproducible evidence.
Review interface
Input form for local weather metrics paired with epJSON diff view and cooling reduction charts.
Missing or incorrect.
Partly complete, with documented gaps.
Complete, with reproducible evidence.
Safe execution
Simulation parameter outputs are engineering drafts; certified simulationists must validate building energy ratings.
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 local weather data and baseline mechanical cooling schedules.
Retrieve ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate objects from baseline EnergyPlus epJSON model.
Calculate optimal natural ventilation temperature thresholds for automated dampers, setting minimum indoor temperature equal to outdoor temperature if cooler than the setpoint.
Update epJSON parameters and emit optimization summary for simulation verification.
Reference links and supporting material
Reference standard DOE small office epJSON prototype models from EnergyPlus distributions. Example JSONs are simplified synthetic app records, not complete official schema 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 local weather data and baseline mechanical cooling schedules. Retrieve ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRat...
- Reads and modifies epJSON ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate structures. Accurately calculates optimal ventilat...
- Input form for local weather metrics paired with epJSON diff view and cooling reduction charts.
- 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
No recipe freeze time is recorded.