This performance dataset provides comprehensive building-characteristics metadata and annual energy results for commercial models in Chicago. This technical dataset comprises structured metadata and annual energy simulation outputs for a representative sample of commercial building stock in Cook County, Illinois. It is derived from the 2024 NREL ComStock AMY2018 release 2, providing a granular look at energy performance characteristics across diverse building typologies. The data is formatted for high-performance computational analysis, capturing essential variables such as thermal envelope properties, occupancy schedules, and HVAC system configurations. By aggregating these metrics, the file enables architects and engineers to perform large-scale energy benchmarking and validate design assumptions against regional baseline standards for the Chicago climate zone.

The download is a 33 MB file containing .PARQUET files.

Professionals can integrate this Parquet file directly into data analysis environments such as Python, R, or specialized energy modeling platforms for batch processing. Because the data is structured for rapid querying, it allows for the extraction of specific building archetypes or performance ranges to inform early-stage design decisions. Users can filter the dataset by building type or vintage to generate comparative energy profiles, ensuring that simulation workflows are grounded in verified regional performance data for urban commercial projects.

The dataset is intended for use in urban-scale energy modeling, policy development, and benchmarking studies for new and existing commercial buildings. It serves as a critical resource for architects and engineers working on large-scale developments in the Chicago area, providing a reliable baseline for energy efficiency targets. By referencing these ComStock results, teams can better understand performance variations in retail spaces, office buildings, hotels, and restaurants, facilitating more accurate energy modeling and sustainability reporting throughout the project lifecycle.