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<b>EnergyPlus Version 6.0 Available<br><br>
</b>The latest release of the EnergyPlus building energy simulation
program, Version 6.0, is now available in versions for Windows, Linux,
and Mac operating systems. A few key new features include: significant
speed increases -- up to 25-40% execution time reduction in most
simulations, life-cycle cost calculations, Transformer model, modeling of
CO2 concentrations, enhanced Green Roof (EcoRoof) model, enhanced
convection coefficients. We have updated and extended capabilities
throughout the existing building envelope, daylighting, and HVAC
equipment and systems portions of the program.<br><br>
EnergyPlus V 6.0 is available at no cost from the EnergyPlus web
site:
<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/" eudora="autourl">
www.energyplus.gov</a>.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
The set of example input files now includes full-blown models of typical
new construction (drawn from the DOE Commercial Reference Buildings
project). Also included is a real-life Hospital sample.<br><br>
<b>What's New in Version 6.0?<br><br>
</b>The highlights improved and new features are displayed by
category.<br><br>
<b>General<br>
</b>* Significant speed increases, up to 25-40% execution time
reduction in most simulations, depending on specific features used <br>
* Revised reference building examples (formerly benchmark
buildings) <br>
* New detailed 130-zone hospital baseline and low energy example
files. <br><br>
<b>Datasets<br>
</b>* New dataset for life cycle costing with regional U.S. fuel
escalation factors. <br>
* Doubled number of refrigerated cases in refrigerated case data
set <br><br>
<b>Input<br>
</b>* Zone lists supported in most internal gains, infiltration,
ventilation, thermostat, and demand manager zone name fields to apply a
single input object to multiple zones. <br>
* New lookup table object allows alternate performance input format
to eliminate the need for regression analysis, can be used in place of
existing curve objects, and can create curve objects. <br>
* Windows and Daylighting<br>
* New reporting of pre-calculated hourly daylight factors. <br>
* Allow glazing defined with spectral data to be used with
between-glass shades and blinds. <br>
* Window 6.3 (fenestration modeling software) will be able to
export EnergyPlus IDF segments for window modeling. <br><br>
<b>Zone and Surface Models<br>
</b>* New surface heat transfer convection coefficient options,
including adaptive model, many new correlations, and user-defined
equations. <br>
* Movable outside insulation, with transparent insulation material
(TIM) capability, added to conduction finite difference model. <br>
* Ecoroof model now has two moisture diffusion calculation methods
- simple and advanced. <br>
* Natural and Mechanical Ventilation<br>
* New comprehensive modeling of CO2 concentrations in zone air,
including internal emission sources and ventilation controls. <br>
* New simplified model for interactions between mechanical
ventilation, infiltration and duct leakage. <br><br>
<b>HVAC<br>
</b>* New separate sizing factors for heating and cooling. <br>
* Enhanced Fan Coil model to allow constant water-flow capacity
control with multi-speed and variable-speed fan. <br>
* Enhanced inputs for variable volume fan minimum power rate. <br>
* Enhanced reheat coil sizing. <br>
* New component model for central fans with load-dependent power
calculations accounting for fan pressure rise variations, duct static
pressure reset, and fan, belt, motor, and VFD efficiency variations.
<br>
* Enhanced hot water coil model with variable UA resulting in
significant improvement in hot water flow rate calculations. <br>
* New basin heater model added to the single speed, two speed,
multi speed and multi mode DX coil models. <br>
* New multi-cell feature added for three types of cooling towers:
single speed, two-speed, and the variable speed. <br>
* New HVACTemplate support for heating/cooling sizing factors, VAV
minimum flow rate options, VAV terminal unit controls. <br><br>
<b>Refrigeration<br>
</b>* Multiple refrigeration systems can now share a single
condenser. <br>
* Refrigeration condenser fan models enhanced and added input for
minimum air flow rate. <br>
* Refrigeration condenser output enhanced to identify recovered
energy used internally for defrost and for other purposes. <br><br>
<b>Electrical Systems<br>
</b>* New transformer model for electrical power service and
on-site generation. <br><br>
<b>Controls and User Functions<br>
</b>* New dual-max control for VAV reheat terminal units with
reverse acting damper and hot-water coil. <br>
* New maximum supply air temperature limit for VAV reheat terminal
units. <br>
* New averaged setpoint managers allow control of supply
temperature and humidity ratio based on requirements of multiple zones.
<br>
* New setpoint managers that allow control of supply air humidity
ratio of a central system serving multiple zones based on the critical
zone humidification or dehumidification requirements. <br>
* New All-Off equipment operation scheme option added for plant and
condenser loops. <br>
* Weather variables added as energy management system (EMS)
actuators. <br><br>
<b>Economics<br>
</b>* New life cycle cost calculations. <br><br>
<b>Output<br>
</b>* New reporting of EER and IEER (in addition to SEER) for DX
cooling coils with air cooled condensers. <br>
* Enhanced SQLite output to include error file content. <br><br>
<b>Utilities<br>
</b>* New EP-Launch option to run multiple simulations
simultaneously, taking advantage of multiple processors (Windows platform
only). <br>
* Enhanced output file access in EP-Launch (Windows platform only).
<br>
* IDF Converter (Transition GUI) can now save intermediate
versions. <br><br>
<b>Platforms<br>
</b>* Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) <br>
* Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 and above, Redhat 5.4 and above) <br>
* Mac (10.5, 10.6) <br>
* EnergyPlus V 6.0 has been tested on all of these platforms. <br>
* ParametricPreprocessor executable added to Linux and Mac
distribution. <br>
* DElight simulations added to Linux and Mac distribution.
<br><br>
And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout.<br><br>
<b>EnergyPlus Training Workshops<br><br>
</b>We will continue to offer training workshops. For more
information, please see:
<a href="http://www.gard.com/training.htm" eudora="autourl">
http://www.gard.com/training.htm<br><br>
</a><b>EnergyPlus Weather Data<br><br>
</b>Weather data for more than 2000 locations worldwide are available on
the EnergyPlus web site:
<a href="http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/weatherdata_about.cfm" eudora="autourl">
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/weatherdata_about.cfm<br>
<br>
</a>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@gard.com.<br><br>
<b>EnergyPlus Helpdesk<br><br>
</b>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@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.<br><br>
<b>Building Energy Simulation User News<br><br>
</b>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
<a href="http://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/un.html" eudora="autourl">
http://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/un.html<br><br>
</a><b>BLDG-SIM<br><br>
</b>Join the free e-mail list for users of all building energy simulation
programs. Ask other knowledgeable simulation program users your
questions--about EnergyPlus and other simulation programs. See
<a href="http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org" eudora="autourl">
http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org</a>
for information on joining this email list.<br><br>
Thanks!<br><br>
The EnergyPlus Team<br><br>
<br>
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