CGBC researchers share findings to support data analytics of ultra-low-energy building operations

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., [August 28, 2024] – In its latest peer-reviewed paper, researchers at the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC) release publicly a two-year, hourly, high-fidelity dataset for HouseZero®, the campus-based ultra-low energy office building and living laboratory. The time-series data trove, which includes a breakdown of energy end uses, photovoltaic (PV) production, and detailed, 24/7 system operations – is being made public to help building researchers develop improved, scalable, advanced energy-efficiency models and methods.

The newly-published data helps fill an urgent need among researchers confronted with the fact that the global building sector accounts for approximately one-third of the world’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

This comprehensive data can help inform decisions leading to improved energy and operational efficiencies while promoting a deeper understanding of the intricate, integrated operations of low-energy and passive building technologies in buildings. It establishes a benchmark for ultra-efficient building performance by integrating low-energy and passive technologies and serves as a tool for validating building simulation models and developing data-driven control algorithms.

“We believe this is the first comprehensive dataset that profiles such a low-energy naturally ventilated building,” said Jung Min Han, former CGBC Fellow, Assistant Professor at Yonsei University, and first author of the published paper. “We think this dataset will help future researchers who are trying to operate similar buildings, but also, more generally, increase understandings about building operations of a building like HouseZero®.”

The dataset is compiled into 22 separate CSV files, capturing information from 189 sensors and meters. It includes millions of datapoints of integrated low-energy building systems such as natural ventilation with automatic windows combined with a geothermal powered Thermally Activated Building System (TABS) for heating and cooling, automatic operable skylights, and PV systems. It also includes an extensive sensor network and information on the zone-level BTU meters for the TABS.

“The data is extensive and unique, and has the potential to raise the standard for how energy efficient buildings are operated,” said Xu Han, CGBC former researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas.

“This dataset, and the paper, are a result of years of tremendous work on the part of our research team. We are incredibly excited to publish this dataset to the broader community,” said Ali Malkawi, Founding Director of the Harvard Center for Green Building and Cities.

To view the two-year dataset, visit the HouseZero Dataset webpage. To read the summary and methods behind the dataset, explore the published, peer-reviewed paper.