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EnergyPlus

v1.0.0•Developer Tools•stable

The first open-source Model Context Protocol server enabling AI assistants and applications to interact programmatically with EnergyPlus building energy simulation.

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What is EnergyPlus?

EnergyPlus is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to first open-source model context protocol server enabling ai assistants and applications to interact programmatically with energyplus building energy simulation.

The first open-source Model Context Protocol server enabling AI assistants and applications to interact programmatically with EnergyPlus building energy simulation.

This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.

Features

  • The first open-source Model Context Protocol server enabling

Use Cases

Simulate building energy consumption with EnergyPlus.
LBNL-ETA

Maintainer

LicenseNOASSERTION
Languagehtml
Versionv1.0.0
UpdatedMay 21, 2026
Statushealthy
Maintenanceactive

Works with

ClaudeOpenAIwindowsmacoslinux
View SourceBrowse All Servers

Installation

Manual Installation

npx energyplus-mcp

Configuration

Configuration Details

Config File

claude_desktop_config.json

Performance

Response Metrics

Response Time< 200ms
ThroughputMedium

Resource Usage

Memory UsageLow
CPU UsageLow

How to Set Up and Use EnergyPlus

EnergyPlus MCP Server is the first open-source MCP server for EnergyPlus, the U.S. Department of Energy's building energy simulation engine, enabling AI assistants to load IDF model files, inspect building zones and HVAC systems, modify simulation parameters, execute energy simulations, and retrieve results — all through natural language. Built by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, it exposes 35 tools covering model loading, zone inspection, material analysis, occupancy and lighting modification, simulation execution, and HVAC topology discovery. Building engineers, researchers, and energy consultants use it to interactively explore and optimize building energy models without needing to edit IDF files manually.

Prerequisites

  • Docker Desktop (macOS/Windows) or Docker Engine on Linux — required for the recommended containerized deployment
  • Git for cloning the repository and accessing the Dockerfile
  • Python 3.10+ and the uv package manager if running locally without Docker
  • EnergyPlus 26.1.0 (automatically included in the Docker image)
  • An MCP-compatible client: Claude Desktop, VS Code 1.102+, or Cursor
1

Clone the repository

Clone the EnergyPlus-MCP repository from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's GitHub. The repository includes sample IDF files, weather files, and Docker configuration.

git clone https://github.com/LBNL-ETA/EnergyPlus-MCP.git
cd EnergyPlus-MCP
2

Build the Docker image

Build the development Docker image using the provided Dockerfile. This image includes EnergyPlus 26.1.0 and all Python dependencies pre-installed. The build takes a few minutes on the first run.

docker build -t energyplus-mcp-dev -f .devcontainer/Dockerfile .devcontainer
3

Configure Claude Desktop

Edit your Claude Desktop config file (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS) to add the EnergyPlus MCP server. The Docker command mounts your local repository into the container at /workspace.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "energyplus": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "--rm", "-i",
        "-v", "/absolute/path/to/EnergyPlus-MCP:/workspace",
        "-w", "/workspace",
        "energyplus-mcp-dev",
        "python", "-m", "energyplus_mcp.server"
      ]
    }
  }
}
4

Restart Claude Desktop and verify

Restart Claude Desktop and verify the server is connected by asking Claude to list available EnergyPlus tools. You should see tools for model loading, zone inspection, simulation execution, and more.

5

Load a sample model and run a simulation

Test the full workflow by loading one of the included sample IDF files and running a simulation. The sample_files directory in the repository contains ready-to-use IDF and EPW weather files.

EnergyPlus Examples

Client configuration

Claude Desktop configuration for EnergyPlus MCP Server using the Docker image with workspace volume mount.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "energyplus": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "--rm", "-i",
        "-v", "/absolute/path/to/EnergyPlus-MCP:/workspace",
        "-w", "/workspace",
        "energyplus-mcp-dev",
        "python", "-m", "energyplus_mcp.server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Prompts to try

These prompts exercise the model inspection, modification, and simulation execution tools across the 35 available EnergyPlus MCP tools.

- "Load the IDF model at sample_files/1ZoneUncontrolled.idf and summarize its building zones"
- "Run an annual energy simulation for 1ZoneUncontrolled.idf using the San Francisco TMY3 weather file"
- "List all HVAC loops in the 5ZoneAirCooled.idf model"
- "What materials are used in the exterior walls of this building model?"
- "Modify the lighting power density in Zone 1 to 8 W/m² and re-run the simulation"
- "Show me the output variables available for the current model"

Troubleshooting EnergyPlus

Docker build fails or image is very slow to build

The first build downloads EnergyPlus 26.1.0 and installs Python dependencies, which can take 5-15 minutes depending on network speed. Ensure Docker has at least 4GB of memory allocated in Docker Desktop settings. If the build fails on a specific step, try running 'docker build --no-cache' to force a clean rebuild.

Simulation fails with 'IDD file not found' error

The EPLUS_IDD_PATH environment variable points to the Energy Plus IDD schema file. In the Docker image this is auto-detected, but if running locally set EPLUS_IDD_PATH to the path of your EnergyPlus installation's Energy+.idd file, typically /usr/local/EnergyPlus-26-1-0/Energy+.idd.

Volume mount path is wrong and model files are not found

Ensure the -v argument in your Docker command uses the absolute path to your cloned EnergyPlus-MCP repository. On macOS, use the full path like /Users/yourname/EnergyPlus-MCP:/workspace. The MCP server looks for sample_files relative to /workspace inside the container.

Frequently Asked Questions about EnergyPlus

What is EnergyPlus?

EnergyPlus is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that first open-source model context protocol server enabling ai assistants and applications to interact programmatically with energyplus building energy simulation. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.

How do I install EnergyPlus?

Follow the installation instructions on the EnergyPlus GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.

Which AI clients work with EnergyPlus?

EnergyPlus works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.

Is EnergyPlus free to use?

Yes, EnergyPlus is open source and available under the NOASSERTION license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.

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Quick Config Preview

{ "mcpServers": { "energyplus-mcp": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "energyplus-mcp"] } } }

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json

Read the full setup guide →

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