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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>My opinion:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>There are many tools that would be appropriate for this
task. eQuest, TRACE, EcoTect and Green Building Studio, the plug-ins
for Sketch-Up from EnergyPlus and IES VE, etc.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>For something this high level (conceptual pre-design and
planning), I'd personally lean toward using one of the plug-ins for
Google Sketch-Up (assuming you can get a conceptual site model in
Sketch-Up). Sketch-Up allows for quick construction of a site and for
visually impactful presentations. Since this is so high level with very
few (if any) design decisions actually having been made, the "black-box" nature
of these programs is acceptable for comparing alternatives. Obviously as
the design progresses, the value of these tools diminishes. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial> Each of
these plug-ins is also free - and Sketch-Up is free as well.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I prefer the VE plug-in over the EnergyPlus
plug-in because it allows for zones to be constructed first - then assigned
to a system and analyzed. The EnergyPlus plug-in required the masses be
drawn with the energy model in mind. If you're working with an architect
who uses Sketch-Up regularly, the VE plug-in (likely) more closely
resembles an actual workflow for conceptual pre-design work.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I'd also take into consideration which tool I am more
comfortable with (don't know your experience level in energy modeling).
The plug-ins are probably the easiest to learn in a short amount of
time.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>You can find YouTube tutorials for both the EnergyPlus and IES
VE plug-ins. These are probably a good place to start if you want to go
that route.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=731221819-29092010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><FONT color=#4b4b4b
face=Arial>Nathan Kegel LEED AP</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><FONT color=#4b4b4b
face=Arial></FONT><BR></SPAN><FONT color=#fc6700><FONT size=4 face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13px"><B>HGA Architects and
Engineers</B></SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><FONT
face=Arial> <BR></FONT></SPAN><FONT color=#4b4b4b><FONT size=4 face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13px">Direct 612.758.4335 <BR></SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><BR><BR></SPAN><FONT color=#4b4b4b><FONT size=2
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10px"><B><I>Please consider the environment
before printing this e-mail.</I></B></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><BR>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> bldg-sim-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>John
Aulbach<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, September 29, 2010 2:14 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Rob
Hudson; bldg-sim@lists.onebuilding.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Bldg-sim] SITE
PLAN MODEL<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<DIV>How far are these Sites apart? All eQuest or any energy simulation
program) will influence will be facing direction, any shading from other
structures, and weather (including Solar).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Not sure what parameters you expect compared..</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A name=_MailAutoSig><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><FONT
face=Calibri>John R. Aulbach, PE, CEM<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></A></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><FONT
face=Calibri>Senior Energy Engineer<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
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style="FONT-VARIANT: small-caps; COLOR: navy; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes">Partner</SPAN></B></SPAN><SPAN
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style="FONT-VARIANT: small-caps; COLOR: #006600; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes">Energy</SPAN><SPAN
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
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style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><FONT
face=Calibri>1990 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245<BR>W: 888-826-1216,
X254| D: 310-765-7295 | F: 310-817-2745<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ptrenergy.com/"><FONT color=#800080><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes">www.ptrenergy.com</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"></SPAN></FONT></FONT></A><SPAN
style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><FONT
face=Calibri> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN><A
href="mailto:%7C%20jaulbach@ptrenergy.com"><SPAN
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style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><FONT
color=#0000ff face=Calibri>| jaulbach@ptrenergy.com</FONT></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
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style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><BR>
<DIV
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size=2 face=Tahoma>
<HR SIZE=1>
<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Rob Hudson
<rdh4176@gmail.com><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B>
bldg-sim@lists.onebuilding.org<BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Wed, September 29, 2010 11:39:27
AM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> [Bldg-sim] SITE
PLAN MODEL<BR></FONT><BR>I am going to be given a task in the near future to
help influence a site plan over another site plan. Before i start this
endeavor, i would like the community's opinion on the best approach to do this,
be it eQuest or Green Building Suite or some other program. <BR
clear=all><BR>-- <BR>Rob Hudson<BR></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR></BODY></HTML>