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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>Having used iesVE for a just over a year now---still a
relatively new user of the tool, but one that has pushed it pretty hard
along the way---the following is an attempt to share a range of insights
for those interested:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>IES say they have put the simulation engine through the
paces with the various ASHRAE standard tests that Drury Crawley referred
to; however, I've not dug into the results of those tests specifically. I expect
you could obtain the results upon request.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>My use of VE has been mainly for envelope
performance, thermal, HVAC, and natural ventilation simulations, plus some
daylighting. This has included modeling a range of less common strategies, such
as double skins, actively controlled openings, UFAD and displacement
ventilation, and daylight collectors. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2><SPAN class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>VE has allowed me to combine relative optimization of
the building envelope with radiant cooling (slab-integrated or panels) in
various mechanical and mixed-mode natural ventilation configurations in
comparison to more conventional approaches. These have included UFAD as well,
wherein I've been able to look at thermal decay in the underfloor plenum and
radiant transfer between the warm ceiling above and floor/plenum surface. VE's
ability to approximate double skins and stratified environments (essentially
same as COMIS), plus exceptional flexibility with regard to mixed-mode
operation and control of openings, were also significant benefits for in my
work.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>As part of my work at the CBE, I've also made some
effort, though far from exhaustive, to compare VE to other building simulation
tools (note that I've taken a fairly rough, spotty, apples & oranges
approach and do not claim to be an expert here). In this context I've been
focused mainly on how various tools handle or allow manipulation and
control of parameters associated with hydronic radiant cooling and
bulk-airflow modeling across a range of alternatives that include mechanical
airside systems. <SPAN class=031350312-02082007>While every tool has pros
and cons, my experience with VE is that it is overall the most useful, flexible,
and integrated set of tools for informing and developing design
alternatives, particularly for less conventional strategies that rely on
the building itself or an integrated systems approach more than mechanical
systems alone to achieve desired levels of indoor environmental quality.
</SPAN>I still use various supporting tools, such as LBNL's Window5 or specific
tools with Ecotect, plus other whole-building simulation tools, such as eQuest,
where they are better suited to particular problems. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>Some examples: </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>Like eQuest, VE supports a progression of analysis from
getting quick answers in conceptual design to detailed analysis in DDs.
While eQuest/DOE-2 has, without question, far more extensive capability for
modeling a very broad range of relatively conventional mechanical HVAC
systems, my experience has been that VE is much less constrained when it
comes to modeling various unconventional or building-integrated systems and has
considerably greater capability with regard to daylighting, natural ventilation,
etc. And, if your handy with juggling eQuest input files, you can use eQuest to
post-process VE results for certain mechanical elements, such as water-side
economizer operation. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>Similarly, it appears EnergyPlus may be more
robust or accurate in certain situations, though I've not yet come across this
in my work. On the contrary, many of the fundamental limitations I've found in
VE, such as the method for approximating view factors for radiant exchange, are
essentially the same in EnergyPlus. (Of course, there are surely relevant
differences I've not dealt with.) However, I have found some things
I'd like to do, such as controlled prioritization of hydronic cooling in a
space using both hydronic and air-side mechanical cooling, that can be
readily done in VE but, according to Rick Strand (who developed the radiant
cooling module for E+), are not presently possible in E+. I also
prefer the degree to which VE permits integrated analysis of natural
ventilation (BAS-controlled or otherwise). Finally, while the VE user
interface still has a bit of a steep learning curve and lots of room for
improvement, it is quite workable and currently well beyond the DesignBuilder
interface for EnergyPlus (the best E+ interface I'm aware of) in terms of
providing a practical level of access to the full range of simulation potential
that the VE toolset offers. The latter may be of value if you are looking for
capability that is similar to the combination of EnergyPlus, COMIS (or CONTAM),
and Radiance, but with an integrated user interface that is well
suited to the pace and constraints of design projects (as differentiated from
research, for which one typically has much more time). </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>Similar comparisons can be made with TAS and TRNSYS. In
the end, how you intend to use the tool may be the most important determinant of
which is best for you.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>My understanding is that the Revit plug-in, which takes
the design process integration one step further---porting geometry and building
component information directly from Revit into VE---is new enough that it works
well only for fairly simple stuff, but hopefully will improve in time.
However, my sense of these limitations is based only upon what I've
heard and not first-hand experience.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>I have been impressed with the rate of development of
VE and the responsiveness of the IES technical staff. Rapid development of
such a complex tool definitely has both pros and cons: While some additional
bugs may missed before each new release, etc., in just over one year, the
development team has made exceptional progress and has added many capabilities
in direct response to user input. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>It may also be worth noting that a growing number of
significant engineering firms, such as the London offices of ARUP, Buro
Happold, and KEEN Engineering (now a part of Stantec), have come to
rely on VE for many projects. They might offer further
insights.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=031350312-02082007>Hopefully this has been helpful.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=031350312-02082007><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=031350312-02082007><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">**********************************************</SPAN><o:p></o:p></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=Section1>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Timothy
Moore<BR></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#008000><FONT size=2>Integrated Sustainable Design Consultant<SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR>LEED
AP<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Whole Systems
Design<BR>910 Indian Rock Ave.<BR>Berkeley, CA 94707<BR>Ph: (510)
525-4809<BR>Fx: (413) 480-7252<BR>Mobile: (303) 324-1044</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR></SPAN><A
href="mailto:tmoore@whole-systems-design.com"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">tmoore@whole-systems-design.com</SPAN></A></P>
<P>Building Science<SPAN class=031350312-02082007> Research and
Simulation</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#008000 size=2>Center for the Built Environment
(CBE)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#008000 size=2>University of California at
Berkeley</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><A title=mailto:tcm@berkeley.edu href="mailto:tcm@berkeley.edu"><FONT
face=Arial size=2>tcm@berkeley.edu</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></SPAN></FONT></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> BLDG-SIM@gard.com
[mailto:BLDG-SIM@gard.com] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Leonard Sciarra<BR><B>Sent:</B>
Thursday, August 02, 2007 7:14 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
BLDG-SIM@gard.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> [BLDG-SIM] IES<VE>
Users<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=643481005-02082007>we just had one of the programmers in our office.
It looks pretty robust, has a nice graphical interface and translator from our
revit models, so for us, that could save time. Also, it has some good day
lighting analysis tools, so with the one model we can look at thermal
performance and day lighting. that is intriguing. that said, I
haven't used it on a project yet.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>Leonard Sciarra, AIA, LEED ap<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>312.577.6580 (Dir)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>G E N S L E R | Architecture & Design Worldwide</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>30 West Monroe Street<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>Chicago IL, 60603<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>312.456.0123<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
size=2>leonard_sciarra@gensler.com <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> BLDG-SIM@gard.com
[mailto:BLDG-SIM@gard.com] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Staci Jennings<BR><B>Sent:</B>
Wednesday, August 01, 2007 1:29 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
BLDG-SIM@gard.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> [BLDG-SIM] IES<VE>
Users<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=906232018-01082007>My company
is considering purchasing the IES<VE> software, and the only
information I can find about it is from IES. I'm hoping to find someone
using the software and get their opinion of it.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Staci Jennings
</SPAN></P><PRE>==================
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