New Version of HPXML (2.2) Released
Today, Wednesday, August 03, 2016, the Building Performance Institute (BPI) released version 2.2 of the HPXML Data Dictionary and the HPXML Transfer Standard. This is a minor version release of the data standards, which means that this version of HPXML is compatible with previous versions of HPXML.
BPI working group 5 members, who oversee the development and management of HPXML, approved a number of changes to HPXML, including the addition of elements that can be used to describe and transfer information on wind turbines, HVAC maintenance, and hot water distribution. The new version release also includes additional HPXML sample files for software developers. A complete list of changes can be found in Annex C of the HPXML Transfer Standard.
The HPXML Data Dictionary and the HPXML Transfer Standard were published as BPI standards in 2013. The HPXML Data Dictionary defines terms related to residential buildings, energy consumption, and energy conservation measures. The HPXML Transfer Standard provides a way to structure and communicate terms defined in the data dictionary between software systems.
The HPXML Data Dictionary is aligned with related industry data standards including the Department of Energy's Building Energy Data Exchange Specification and the Real Estate Standards Organization's Data Dictionary to facilitate communication and the exchange of data with the real estate and building industries.
The use of HPXML enables access to the same, well understood terms and data structures that are used to collect and aggregate data, driving economies of scale in the administration, finance, and evaluation of residential energy efficiency programs. HPXML also enables the reuse of data and software for multiple purposes, which guards against software obsolesce and vendor lock-in, and boosts innovation in software development.
HPC is currently leading a roadmapping process, with support from the BPI working group 5 (comprised of software developers, programs, contractors, and government) to identify and prioritize strategies for increasing data standardization in the residential energy efficiency industry. Open data standards, like HPXML, help businesses and programs operate more efficiently, increase productivity and access new markets.
HPC plans to release the data standards roadmap in September 2016, as well as launch a new HPXML website with case studies from software developers, programs, and contractors that have benefited from the use of HPXML. For more information on HPXML, or to join the working group, contact Julie Caracino, Director of Research and Standards.