[Bldg-sim] EnergyPlus Update

[Drury.Crawley at EE.DOE.GOV]

Dear colleagues,

A lot of new information to tell you about EnergyPlus.

1. Building Energy Analysis Tools Survey.
We are conducting a web-based survey of energy simulation tool users to
find out how much energy simulation
is being used and what features users think are most important for near-
and long-term development.
Please try your hand at the survey by visiting
http://SimulationResearch.lbl.gov/  then click on "Survey"
in the left menu. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and your
responses will influence
future program enhancements.  Your responses are completely confidential.

2. New, Version 1.0.1 EnergyPlus Now Available.
A new version of EnergyPlus was released in late April and is available for
download from the EnergyPlus
web site  (http://www.energyplus.gov).  Version 1.0.1 contains many new
features including:
extensive end-use meters, auto sizing of system components and equipment,
Trombe wall, photovoltaic
calculations (link to TRNSYS), new window-related features (blinds,
controls, data import from Window 5,
interior window solar radiation, movable slats, mixtures of gases,
triangular windows), many new input file
examples and HVAC system templates, continuous extensive testing, movable
transparent wall insulation,
and many more!

3. Weather Data for >550 Locations Worldwide Available for EnergyPlus.
The EnergyPlus web site also now includes weather data for more than 550
locations around the world --
more than 300 in North America with the other 200 in 70 other countries.
Check out the list of available
weather files at:
http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/energy_tools/energyplus/energyplus_weatherdata.html

4. Progress on User Interfaces for EnergyPlus.
The most asked questions are 'Where is the interface?' and 'When will
commercial interfaces be available?'.
We are pleased to announce that we expect the first interface to be
available later this summer.  Also tools to
make using EnergyPlus easier--although it's not a full user-friendly
interface--are now available.  Check
out these two web site for more information:
http://www.deringergroup.com/Software/EPlusTools.htm
and  http://www.tse-inc.net/epi.htm .   We will also announce the
availability of user interfaces and tools as
they become available on the EnergyPlus web site.  Note that at least 5
other organizations have indicated
that they plan to develop user interfaces over the next year or so.

Thanks in advance,

Dru Crawley
Program Manager, Building Energy  Tools
DOE



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