[Bldg-sim] EnergyPlus Version 5.0 available

[Chris Yates]

Congratulations. Looks like you've been busy. Can't wait to get stuck  
in! Many thanks.
Chris

Sent from my iPhone

On 26 Apr 2010, at 19:26, Linda Lawrie <linda at fortlawrie.com> wrote:

> EnergyPlus Version 5.0 Available
>
> The latest release of the EnergyPlus building energy simulation  
> program, Version 5.0, is now available in versions for Windows,  
> Linux, and Mac operating systems. A few key new features include:  
> enhancements to EMS applications, new application guides, Wind  
> Turbine, External Interface, Zone Ventilation for Wind and Stack  
> Open Area.  We have updated and extended capabilities throughout the  
> existing building envelope, daylighting, and HVAC equipment and  
> systems portions of the program.
>
> EnergyPlus V 5.0 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 5.0?
>
> The highlights – improved and new features – are displayed by  
> category.
>
> Datasets
> *   New refrigerated case data set
>
> Input
> *   Slab and Basement preprocessors integrated to run automatically  
> prior to EnergyPlus simulation
> *   New "Unit Type" field for schedules to support units conversions  
> of schedule values
> *   Added ExternalInterface to connect to the Building Controls  
> Virtual Test Bed using Ptolemy
>
> Geometry/Window/Wall/Shading
> *   2-node ConductionFiniteDifferenceSimplified model added
>
> Daylighting
> *   Allow switchable windows like electrochromic windows to  
> continuously dim, instead of only switching to fully dark state.  
> Allows the zone to meet the maximum glare index while providing  
> daylight for spaces
>
> Zone Model
> *   Analytical and Euler solution options for zone air heat balance  
> added
>
> Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
> *   Added minimum outdoor air flow rate operation controls to single  
> and dual duct VAV air terminals
> *   Added maximum supply air flow rate during reheat to single duct  
> VAV air terminal
> *   New object ZoneHVAC:OutdoorAir to describe outdoor air flow rate  
> for use by other objects
> *   New ZoneVentilation:WindandStackOpenArea object calculates  
> ventilation rates based on winds and stack effects
> *   Zone HVAC outdoor air unit module for make-up air and DOAS
>
> HVAC and Refrigeration
> *   Refrigeration loops can now model CO2 secondary loops
> *   Lighting in refrigerated cases revised to better match  
> manufacturer's practices
> *   Zone-side impacts of refrigerant piping heat exchange added
> *   Default 'on' schedules for refrigerated cases and walk-ins added
> *   Dual layer controls for radiant systems removed
> *   Basin heater added to all chillers except absorption chillers
> *   Basin heater added to one and two speed cooling towers
> *   Pumps can ride curves based on pressure
> *   New steam baseboard with radiant heat
> *   New electric radiant/convective baseboard
> *   Added HVACTemplate:Zone:WaterToAirHeatPump and  
> HVACTemplate:Plant:MixedWaterLoop
> *   Standard rating (net) cooling capacity and SEER value reported  
> for single speed DX cooling coil with air-cooled condenser
>
> Electrical Systems
> *   Improved methodology for electric load dispatch via the electric  
> load center
>
> Controls and User Functions
> *   Enhancements to EMS including: system timestep built-in  
> variable, detect unbalanced parentheses in Erl, custom schedule  
> output, and coupling with ExternalInterface
> *   External Interface to the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed  
> (BCVTB) opens EnergyPlus to external programs.
>
> On-Site Energy Supply
> *   Wind turbine module (horizontal and vertical axis turbines)
>
> Output
> *   New predefined output table for DX cooling coils as part of  
> EquipmentSummary report summarize the calculated capacity and SEER  
> values
> *   New simulations database table and tabular reports data added to  
> SQL database output
> *   Added report variables for beam and diffuse solar radiation for  
> blinds
> *   Users can turn off most surface variables to a minimal critical  
> set with single command. Allows tremendous reduction in execution  
> time for large projects with many surfaces
>
> Utilities
> *   New utility EP-Compare allows users to graphically compare  
> results from two simulations
> *   IDF Editor supports IP units in schedules and other objects
> *   EP-Launch, IDF Editor, and WeatherConverter updates throughout
>
> Documentation and Guides
> *   Two new guides: Tips and Tricks Using EnergyPlus, and External  
> Interface Application Guide
> *   Input/Output Reference and Engineering Reference updated and  
> extended for all new features and updates. Total documentation now  
> exceeds 4,700 pages
> *   New translation capability added to EnergyPlus web site allows  
> translation into 50 languages
>
> Validation and Testing
> *   New EnergyPlus Testing Reports:
> *   EnergyPlus Testing with IEA BESTEST Mechanical Equipment &  
> Control Strategies for a Chilled Water and a Hot Water System
>
> Platforms
> *   Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7)
> *   Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 and above, Redhat 5.4 and above)
> *   Mac (10.5, 10.6)
>
> 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 2010.  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  
> the development team at energyplus-support at gard.com.
>
> 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  
> 3,000 EnergyPlus users in the user-to-user email group on YahooGroup 
> s—a place to ask questions and share information with other EnergyPl 
> us users. The YahooGroup also provides a searchable archive of all 9 
> + years of discussion. You can also upload files to share with other 
>  users. While the EnergyPlus development team does monitor the Yahoo 
> Group list, the best place for individualized support is the EnergyP 
> lus 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
>
> Want to keep up to date on EnergyPlus and other building simulation  
> tools? Subscribe to the bi-monthly electronic newsletter for users  
> of EnergyPlus, DOE-2, BLAST, GenOpt, SPARK, and Energy-10.   See http://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/un.html
>
> BLDG-SIM
>
> Join the free e-mail list for users of all building energy  
> simulation programs. Ask other knowledgeable simulation program  
> users your questions--about EnergyPlus and other simulation  
> programs. See http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org 
>  for information on joining this email list.
>
> Thanks!
>
> The EnergyPlus Team
>
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