Researchers at Cornell University have created a tool that models energy use for thousands of city buildings in minutes, helping policymakers plan cost-effective decarbonization strategies. Using Ithaca, New York, as a test case, the model analyzed more than 5,000 buildings, simulating upgrades such as weatherization, electric heat pumps, and rooftop solar while accounting for financial incentives. Results revealed counterintuitive insights, like the need to pair heat pumps with other measures for cost efficiency, and highlighted multifamily residential buildings as top retrofit priorities. The tool relies on publicly available data, machine learning, and a fast physics-based engine, offering smaller cities often lacking resources an accessible way to plan for carbon neutrality. Researchers say the approach could scale to larger cities or entire states, guiding energy-efficient urban policy.
