Build an EnergyPlus Natural Ventilation Damper Optimizer — implementation

## Build
Evaluate whole-building mixed-mode ventilation strategies against EnergyPlus ZoneVentilation objects. Calibrate damper opening schedules to minimize mechanical cooling while maintaining fresh air rates.

## User
Building Enclosure Commissioning Engineer

## Workflow
1. Ingest local weather data and baseline mechanical cooling schedules.
2. Retrieve ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate objects from baseline EnergyPlus epJSON model.
3. Calculate optimal natural ventilation temperature thresholds for automated dampers, setting minimum indoor temperature equal to outdoor temperature if cooler than the setpoint.
4. Update epJSON parameters and emit optimization summary for simulation verification.

## Interface
Input form for local weather metrics paired with epJSON diff view and cooling reduction charts.

## Data
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.

## Source
[EnergyPlus](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NREL/EnergyPlus/develop/README.md)
Applies EnergyPlus epJSON schema definitions for ZoneVentilation:DesignFlowRate and Zone objects.

## Tools
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.

## Deliverables
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.

## Acceptance
- 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.

## Starter Examples
```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
    }
  }
]
```

## Safety
Simulation parameter outputs are engineering drafts; certified simulationists must validate building energy ratings.
Use mock external writes. Require human review before any real deployment.