energy-efficiency

name	energy-efficiency
description	Comprehensive energy analysis using EnergyPlus, commissioning best practices, and ASHRAE standards for building energy modeling, code compliance verification, and performance optimization

Energy Efficiency Analysis Skill

This skill provides specialized knowledge for building energy analysis and optimization projects.

Core Capabilities

Energy Modeling

• EnergyPlus simulation setup and analysis
• OpenStudio model development
• Weather data integration and selection
• HVAC system modeling strategies

Code Compliance

• ASHRAE 90.1 performance path analysis
• IECC commercial compliance verification
• Energy cost budget calculations
• Baseline model development

Performance Analysis

• Energy use intensity (EUI) calculations
• Peak demand analysis and optimization
• Load profile evaluation
• Equipment efficiency assessments

Available Scripts

• scripts/energyplus_postprocess.py: Post-process EnergyPlus outputs
• scripts/ashrae_compliance.py: ASHRAE 90.1 compliance calculations
• scripts/eui_calculator.py: Building EUI analysis

Reference Materials

eferences/ashrae_standards.md: Key ASHRAE standard requirements

eferences/energyplus_tips.md: EnergyPlus modeling best practices

eferences/iecc_requirements.md: IECC compliance procedures

Asset Templates

• ssets/compliance_report_template.docx: Standard compliance report format
• ssets/energy_model_checklist.xlsx: QA/QC checklist for models

Usage Examples

• "Analyze this EnergyPlus model for ASHRAE 90.1 compliance"
• "Calculate the energy savings from this efficiency measure"
• "Generate a code compliance report for this building"
• "Optimize the HVAC system sizing for this model"

Cost Analysis Tools

NPV Analysis Email Generator

Purpose: Generate lifecycle cost analysis summaries for energy efficiency measures and design alternatives

Location: scripts/npv_analysis_email_generator.py

Documentation: docs/TOOL_NPV_Email_Generator.md

When to Use:

• Comparing energy efficiency measure costs vs. savings over lifecycle
• Evaluating HVAC system alternatives (baseline vs. high-efficiency)
• Generating cost comparison reports for LEED energy models
• Creating stakeholder-ready summaries of first costs and NPV

Common Workflow:

1. Run energy models for baseline and alternatives
2. Extract annual energy costs from simulation results
3. Input costs into NPV spreadsheet (Assumptions, Upfront_Costs, Cashflows_XNPV sheets)
4. Recalculate formulas if needed
5. Generate formatted summary:

   python scripts/npv_analysis_email_generator.py "path/to/NPV_Analysis.xlsx" \
     -o "path/to/Summary.xlsx" \
     -p "Project Name"
   

Output:

• Excel summary with color-coded cost comparisons
• Highlights lowest lifecycle cost option
• Ready for client presentations and stakeholder communication

Integration:

• Use xlsx skill to edit NPV spreadsheet and recalculate formulas
• Use work-command-center to track NPV summary as deliverable
• Use diagnosing-energy-models for HVAC alternative modeling

Example Use Cases:

• "Compare lifecycle costs of GSHP vs. conventional HVAC"
• "Generate NPV summary for LEED cost-benefit analysis"
• "Create stakeholder report showing first cost vs. 25-year savings"

Saving Next Steps

When energy-efficiency work is complete or paused:

node .claude/skills/work-command-center/tools/add-skill-next-steps.js \
  --skill "energy-efficiency" \
  --content "## Priority Tasks
1. Complete ASHRAE 90.1 compliance analysis
2. Generate NPV summary for efficiency measures
3. Finalize energy model QA/QC"

See: .claude/skills/work-command-center/skill-next-steps-convention.md