It refers to the EnergyPlus version, not the Windows OS version. EnergyPlus windows has been tested on XP, Vista, Windows 7 and I have someone trying it on Windows 8.
--- In
EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Mike Porter <Mike584595@...> wrote:
>
>
> The 32 bit Windows download option appears as: Windows 7.1.0 012 (EXE 87.17) . Does this refer to Windows 7 or to the E+ version 7.1.0 012?
>
> Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Linda Lawrie <linda@...>
> To: Recipient list suppressed:;
> Sent: Mon, Jun 4, 2012 5:23 pm
> Subject: [EnergyPlus_Support] EnergyPlus V7.1 Released
>
>
>
>
> EnergyPlus Version 7.1 and OpenStudio Legacy Plug-in 1.0.8 Available
>
> The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released an updated version
> of EnergyPlus simulation software for modeling heating, cooling,
> lighting, ventilating, and other building energy flows. Additionally,
> a new version of OpenStudio Plug-in for Google SketchUp is available,
> which makes it possible to perform EnergyPlus simulations using
> Google's user-friendly 3-D drawing interface.
> Visit
www.energyplus.gov to learn more and download EnergyPlus and
> OpenStudio Plug-in now.
>
> Enhancements in the New Versions
>
> General
>
> * EnergyPlus can now use multi-core processors to speed execution of
> models with large geometry descriptions. The solution for inside face
> surface temperatures was threaded using OpenMP technology.
> * The Design Day object was restructured and allows finer control
> over humidity conditions.
> * The Run Period object was extended to include features useful for
> real-time and real-weather simulations.
>
> Datasets
>
> * New equipment performance data set for 110 different air-cooled
> chillers - see the file AirCooledChiller.idf
>
> Input
>
> * Corrected or clarified the units for various input fields
>
> Zone and Surface Models
>
> * Many new output variables were added to expand the reporting
> available for surface heat transfer model results.
> * The modeling of internal gains was revised and improved to
> facilitate integrating HVAC equipment skin losses and the zone
> thermal model. Losses from plant pumps can now be added to thermal zones.
>
> Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
>
> * New comprehensive modeling of the concentration of a generic
> gaseous contaminant in zone air including internal emission sources
> and ventilation controls.
> * Added system-level zone maximum outdoor air fraction for
> ventilation rate procedure for sizing and annual calculations.
> * Added support for multi-path air distribution systems in the
> ventilation rate procedure based on the ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for
> annual calculations.
> * Added Demand Controlled Ventilation for sizing calculations based
> on ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for both single- and multi-path systems.
>
> HVAC and Refrigeration
>
> * Commercial refrigeration models were expanded to include systems
> that use transcritical CO2.
> * A new coil system was added for modeling air-to-air heat pump coils
> in built-up air handlers, outdoor air systems, and zone outdoor air units.
> * Fan-powered induction air terminal units can now draw secondary air
> from plenums.
> * Added autosizing for hot water baseboards in HVACTemplates.
> * Added pumping options, piping configurations, fluid types, and
> additional controls to HVACTemplate plant loops.
> * Added additional control and part load ratio inputs to
> HVACTemplate:Plant:Chiller and HVACTemplate:Plant:Boiler.
> * Added additional error checking to HVACTemplate objects.
> * Added model for Integral-Collector-Storage (ICS) solar collectors
> for hot water heating.
> * Added the ability to use hot water (or steam) coils in various HVAC
> equipment that have options for different types of heating coils.
> * The models for adding/removing heat to/from the return air stream
> were improved to add maximum and minimum limits on the temperature of
> the return air (+60C, -30C).
> * The Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV) standard rating for chillers
> can now be calculated from the chiller input and reported.
> * Added "High/Low Temperature Heating Standard (Net) Rating Capacity"
> and HSPF calculation routines for single speed air source heatpumps.
> * Added two-stage compression with intercooling to the detailed
> commercial refrigeration cycle model.
> * New model to reset condenser loop temperature setpoints using
> predetermined curves that reduce net energy consumption for the
> chiller and cooling tower plant.
> * New "ideal" model to reset condenser loop temperature setpoints
> using a search algorithm to find the near-optimal setpoint at a given
> timestep which gives the minimum total chiller, cooling tower,
> chilled water pump and condenser water pump power consumption.
> * The heat pump water heater model can now use a stratified thermal tank.
> * Added a new model for variable speed, water-to-air heat pumps.
>
> Controls and User Functions
>
> * A new category of HVAC and plant components was added that allow
> using EMS's capabilities to create user-defined models of new and
> unique equipment. Users can now define their own component models
> using new IDF objects that serve as generic holders for zone
> forced-air units, coils in an air handler, zone air terminal units,
> or plant components.
> * The EnergyPlus Runtime Language used for EMS programming was
> extended to include WHILE loops and to allow directly evaluating
> curve and table IDF objects from inside programs.
> * New EMS Actuators were added including: surface construction,
> surface outside boundary conditions, and refrigeration system
> condenser minimum temperature limit.
> * The ExternalInterface used for co-simulation was extended to allow
> using Functional Mock-up Units (FMU) including a FMU parser for
> pre-processing FMUs.
>
> Output
>
> * Multiple daylight illuminance maps can now be generated for a single zone.
> * Energy meters have been added to output summary reports.
> * A new sizing report related to ASHRAE Standard 62.1 has been added
> to output summary reports
>
> Documentation and Guides
>
> * Documentation has been updated for all documents.
>
> Platforms
>
> * Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) 32 and 64 bit versions
> * Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 and above, Redhat 5.4 and above) 32 and 64 bit versions
> * Mac (with Intel processors) (10.6, 10.7) 32 and 64 bit versions
> * EnergyPlus V 7.1 has been tested on all of these platforms
>
> And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout.
> Suggestion: get as much memory as possible in your computer for
> running EnergyPlus.
>
> Thanks!
> The EnergyPlus Team
>