[Bldg-sim] EnergyPlus Version 5.0 available

[Linda Lawrie]

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 
YahooGroups—a place to ask questions and share 
information with other EnergyPlus 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 
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

Want to keep up to date on EnergyPlus and other 
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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