[Bldg-sim] EnergyPlus V4.0 Released

[Linda Lawrie]

EnergyPlus Version 4.0 Available

The latest release of the EnergyPlus building 
energy simulation program, Version 4.0, is now 
available in versions for Windows, Linux, and Mac 
operating systems. A few key new features 
include  We have updated and extended 
capabilities throughout the existing building 
envelope, daylighting, and HVAC equipment and systems portions of the program.

EnergyPlus V 4.0 is available at no cost from the 
EnergyPlus web site:  www.energyplus.gov.

OpenStudio plugin for Google SketchUp: The 
OpenStudio is a free plugin for the 
GoogleSketchUp 3D drawing program. The plugin 
makes it easy to create and edit the building 
geometry in your EnergyPlus input files. The 
plugin also allows you to launch EnergyPlus 
simulations and view the results without leaving SketchUp.

EnergyPlus Example File Generator: A Web-based 
service is available that creates and runs 
EnergyPlus input files for simple models of 
commercial buildings. The input files (and annual 
results summary files) are sent to your e-mail 
address as attachments. This is a pilot project 
and is currently made available only as a BETA 
service. You can access the service and customize 
the characteristics of the building you want to 
model on the EnergyPlus Example File Generator 
Application (pop-ups must be enabled).

The set of example input files now includes 
full-blown models of typical new construction 
(drawn from the DOE Commercial Benchmarks project).

What's New in Version 4.0?

The highlights – improved and new features – are displayed by category.

Datasets
·         SandiaPVdata.imf macro data set updated 
with latest set of input data from SNL for Sandia PV model.
·         Weather (EPW) and stat files now 
include field for rainfall. Weather data has all 
been reprocessed for V4.0 -- includes 2009 ASHRAE 
design conditions (if available), WMO# in file 
name, and several new or revised data sets.

Input
·         Simple definition of underground walls 
and floors with C and F factors for code compliance.
·         Users can now define a window glazing 
system using U-factor, solar heat gain 
coefficient (SHGC), and visible transmittance (VT).
·         Delimiter field added to Schedule:File object.
·         Switchable windows report variables: 
switching factor (tint level) and visible transmittance at each time step.
·         Inputs for parametric preprocessor 
added including values, logic, run control, and file naming.

Zone Model
·         Source sink simulation and variable 
thermal conductivity property added to Conduction Finite Difference model.
·         Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
·         Large Horizontal Openings added to AirflowNetwork

HVAC
·         Plant and Condenser Loops merged with 
significant improvements throughout.
·         Walk-in Refrigeration, Refrigeration 
Cascade Condenser, and Refrigeration Secondary Loop.
·         Evaporative Fluid Cooler.
·         Zone water-to-air heat pump (ZoneHVAC:WaterToAirHeatPump).
·         Zone air dehumidifier (ZoneHVAC:Dehumidifier:DX).
·         Plant Pressure Drop can be calculated.
·         Improved convergence tolerance for most unitary systems.
·         Improved control of heat recovery in 
outside air systems during economizer operation.

Controls and User Funcations
·         EnergyManagementSystem implemented, 
including EnergyPlus runtime language with 
numerous actuators. A separate Application guide covers its use.

Environmental Impacts
·         Schedules for fuel factors fully implemented in output reporting.

Output
·         Fanger PPD thermal comfort report variable added.
·         Daylight metrics added: Time Exceeding 
Daylight Illuminance Setpoint at Ref Point 1 and 2.
·         Air Node Density can be reported for air nodes.
·         Infiltration, Mixing, and Ventilation 
air flow rates may be reported using standard density or current density.
·         ReportDuringWarmup added to Output:Diagnostics object.

Utilities
·         ParametricPreprocessor utility creates 
multiple IDF files from one and varying them parametrically.
·         IDFConverter utility available - a GUI 
for transitioning input files, including 
converting a list of files, from any older version to any newer version.
·         EP-Launch now automatically checks for 
updated versions of EnergyPlus, it runs the 
ParametricPreprocessor when necessary, and the 
utility tab includes IDFConverter.
·         Weather Converter can now calculate 
solar radiation from available data. Improved 
export and import of .wea (Ecotect) files.
·         IDF Editor saves IP/SI view status with each file edited.

Documentation and Guides
·         New, more unified menu scheme for navigating documenation.
·         Two new application guides: Energy 
Management System Application Guide and Using EnergyPlus for Compliance.
·         Input/Output Reference and Engineering 
Reference updated and extended for all new 
features and updates and renaming. Total 
documentation now exceeds 4,400 pages.

Validation and Testing
·         New EnergyPlus Testing Reports:
·         ·         IEA BESTEST In-Depth Ground 
Coupled Heat Transfer Tests Related to Slab-on-Grade Construction.
·         ·         IEA BESTEST Multi-Zone 
Non-Airflow In-Depth Diagnostic Cases MZ320 - MZ360.

Platforms
·         Windows (tested for Windows 7)
·         Linux
·         Mac (tested for SnowLeopard)

And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout.

See http://www.energyplus.gov/features.html  for 
a complete list of new features added in this and previous versions.

Update on User Interfaces and Tools?

Many user interfaces that create and run 
EnergyPlus input files and display results 
graphically are available (Demand Response Quick 
Assessment Tool, DesignBuilder, Easy EnergyPlus, 
EFEN, Hevacomp, and HLCP) and under development 
(ComFen, TREATPlus and EPlusInterface).  Check 
our web site 
(http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_interfaces.html ) 
for up-to-date information on these and other interfaces.

Utilities and tools for creating, editing, and 
running input files that come with EnergyPlus 
include IDF Editor, EP-Launch, and HVAC-Diagram 
(see http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_utilities.html 
). Third party tools for creating, editing, and 
displaying EnergyPlus input files are also 
available, including DrawBDL, EcoTect, 
EnergyPlugged, ESP-r, Green Building Studio, 
EzDrawPlus, IFCtoIDF, TSe+, and EzPlus-Parm.  See 
http://www.energyplus.gov/third_party_tools.html for more information.



EnergyPlus Training Workshops

We will continue to offer training workshops 
throughout 2009.  For more information, please 
see:  http://www.gard.com/training.htm

EnergyPlus Weather Data

Weather data for more than 2000 locations 
worldwide are available on the EnergyPlus web 
site:  http://www.energyplus.gov/cfm/weather_data.cfm

If you know of other weather data for your 
country that you'd be willing to share with the 
EnergyPlus user community, please contact Dru 
Crawley (Drury.Crawley at ee.doe.gov).

EnergyPlus Helpdesk

A helpdesk system has been set up for managing 
EnergyPlus user support requests. The helpdesk 
system includes a download area, a knowledge base 
and troubleshooting area. To submit new support 
requests (tickets) or search the knowledge base, 
please go to energyplus.helpserve.com.  You may 
also submit new issues, files and reply to 
tickets via e-mail at 
EnergyPlus-Support at gard.com. This address has 
been linked to the helpdesk since early May 
2008.  This is the best way to get your specific 
EnergyPlus questions answered.


EnergyPlus_Support Group at YahooGroups

Are you a commercial or academic user of 
EnergyPlus?  Join more than 2,000 EnergyPlus 
users in the user-to-user email group on 
YahooGroups—a place to ask questions and share 
information with other EnergyPlus users. The 
YahooGroup also provides a searchable archive of 
all 7+ years of discussion. You can also upload 
files to share with other users. While the 
EnergyPlus development team does monitor the 
YahooGroup list, the best place for 
individualized support is the EnergyPlus Helpdesk.


The main web page for the group is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support

To subscribe, send an email message to:
EnergyPlus_Support-subscribe at yahoogroups.com

If you hate to constantly receive email, you can 
edit your YahooGroup membership to only send a daily digest of messages.

Building Energy Simulation User News

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EnergyPlus, DOE-2, BLAST, GenOpt, SPARK, and 
Energy-10.   See http://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/un.html

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Thanks!

The EnergyPlus Team