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[EnergyPlus_Support] EnergyPlus Version 2.0 Now Available



EnergyPlus Version 2.0 Now Available

The newest version of EnergyPlus (2.0) was released on April 12, 2007 and
is now available in versions for both the Windows and Linux operating
systems. Key new features include green roofs, phase-change materials, and
enhanced building controls. Download at no cost from the EnergyPlus web
site: www.energyplus.gov.


What's New in Version 2.0?

A few of the new features in EnergyPlus V 2.0 are listed below--see
http://www.energyplus.gov/features.html for a complete list of new features
added in this and previous versions:
* Phase change materials (PCM) with variable thermal conductivity and a
temperature-enthalpy function incorporated in conduction finite difference
solution algorithm.

* Green roof simulation added (model created by Portland State University).

* New materials data set based on ASHRAE 2005 HOF replaces legacy DOE-2 and
BLAST data.

* Updated solar collector data set from the SRCC adds 55 more collectors
for a total of 173.

* New weather data for 86 locations added: 69 in Australia, 16 in Canada
and 1 in Iran.

* Example input files created for all new features (More than 225 example
files now available)

* Users can now enter interzone surfaces once and EnergyPlus will
automatically create the mirror interzone surface.

* Evaporative condenser option added to existing refrigerated case
compressor racks including availability schedule and basin heater with
controls.

* Draw-through fan configuration added for furnaces, unitary system and
air-to-air heat pumps.

* Different supply air flow rates now allowed for cooling, heating and when
no cooling or heating is required in unitary, furnace and air-to-air heat
pumps.

* Common Pipe for Primary-Secondary systems provides an alternative to the
Connection component object to model Primary-Secondary systems

* Desiccant heat exchanger option added for the existing heat
exchanger-assisted DX cooling coil object.

* Stratified water heater model added.

* Combustion micro cogeneration model added.

* New EP-Launch utility tab added where users can launch Basement,
CalcSoilSurfTemp, CoeffCheck, CoeffConv, Slab and Weather utilities.

* IDF Editor now preserves the order of user IDFs and includes a large
number of other new features.

* Input/Output Reference and Engineering Reference updated and extended for
all new features and updates. Total documentation now exceeds 3300 pages.

And many other enhancements and significant speed improvements throughout.


Update on User Interfaces?

DOE plans to release an EnergyPlus plugin for Google's Sketchup later this
spring. The EnergyPlus plugin will integrate building simulation
functionality into the SketchUp drawing environment. The plugin stores
EnergyPlus input data on SketchUp surfaces as they are drawn by the user.
EnergyPlus toolbar buttons allow zones and surfaces to be created with only
a few mouse clicks. Construction assignments are 'painted' onto surfaces
using a palette of EnergyPlus constructions. Users will be able to execute
an annual simulation from within SketchUp. Watch the EnergyPlus web site
and email for more information.

EP-Quick creates an EnergyPlus input file based on a broad range of zone
templates (released in April 2005). E2AC is an interface in Portuguese and
English (available since January 2005). DesignBuilder, a graphic user
interface, was released in December 2005. Hevacomp uses EnergyPlus as its
simulation engine (2006). EFEN is now available in beta version for users
to test. Green Building Studio can take an existing CAD file and convert to
an EnergyPlus input file. Several other interfaces are under development.
Watch our web site (http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_interfaces.html) for
up-to-date information on these and other interfaces.

A number of utilities and tools for creating, editing, and running input
files come with EnergyPlus, including 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,  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 are planning workshops throughout 2007. For more information, please
see:  http://www.gard.com/training.htm


EnergyPlus_Support Group at YahooGroups

Are you a commercial or academic user of EnergyPlus? Join more than 1200
EnergyPlus users in an email group on YahooGroups. A place to ask your
questions and share information with other EnergyPlus users. The YahooGroup
also provides a searchable archive of all 6 years of discussion. You can
also upload files to share with other users. This group supplements but
does not replace the primary support email address of
EnergyPlus-Support@xxxxxxxx.

      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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

      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


Thanks!


The EnergyPlus Team






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