<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div><span><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356111" style="font-size: 10pt; ">Hi folks,</div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356113" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356113" style="font-size: 10pt; ">I originally posted this on the Society of Building Science Educators list serve, and thought I'd solicit the Bldg-Sim community perspective as well. Thanks in advance for any advice.</div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356113" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356113" style="font-size: 10pt; ">-------------</div><div
id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356113" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418492" class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418112 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356197" style="font-size: 10pt; ">I'm prepping a few courses for CU this year and I'm keen to re-examine the options for whole-building analysis software for young architecture students. I realize this general topic has been the subject of many prior threads (and I'm grateful for t</span><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418112" style="font-size: 10pt; ">he <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/subjects.cfm/pagename=subjects/pagename_menu=whole_building_analysis/pagename_submenu=energy_simulation">EERE </a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><a rel="nofollow"
target="_blank" href="http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/subjects.cfm/pagename=subjects/pagename_menu=whole_building_analysis/pagename_submenu=energy_simulation">Building Energy Software Tools Directory</a>),</span><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418112 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356203" style="font-size: 10pt; "> but each academic application has unique quirks and objectives, and I thought I'd post this query to see if anyone has undergone an </span><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418114 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356205" style="font-size: 10pt; ">analogous</span><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418497" class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418116 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356207" style="font-size: 10pt; "> evaluation and selection process. Our department is in a bit of flux right now, but thankfully headed in a more 'integrative design' direction, so its a good
opportunity for us to push building science principles and design performance assessment. Getting the right tool(s) in our labs will be an important step in the process. With apologies for the lengthy text, here's some context and requirements to address:</span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356117" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356119" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418176" style="text-decoration: underline; ">Academic context:</span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356121"><ul class="yiv1473866132yui3-touched"><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418393"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418179" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356211">Students are undergrads in an architectural /
environmental design curriculum </span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418393"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418516" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356213">Applicable courses will include both electives and studios</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418393"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418402" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356215">Courses will focus generally on climate-sensitive building design</span></li><li><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418200" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356217">Courses will stress holistic systems thinking and appropriate corollary analysis to inform design</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418399"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418409" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356219">Due to some poor degree planning, in the near term many of the students will have no formal building systems
training (I know, it's tragic....)</span></li></ul></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_20_134276140831391 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356123" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; "><br></span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356125" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418213" style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; ">Software objectives:</span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_134211614941864 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356127" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">While we all use multiple tools professionally, and I know the likely scenario is to procure a suite of programs to cover the bases for varying courses, the focus of this email is on identifying (if there is one) the
best whole-building multi-purpose analysis tool to serve as our fundamental software of choice for the next few years. The core needs are:</span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356129"><div><ul><li>A tool that can be taught to beginners<br></li><li>A tool that allows for simple but competent exploration of passive strategies <br></li><li>A tool that students can use to investigate the interplay of climate, envelope, loads, and systems<br></li><li><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418568" class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_20_1342761408313181">A tool robust enough to stay relevant through subsequent courses with advancing rigor</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; "> (a tool they can grow with)</span><br></li><li>Compatibility with popular CAD/3D tools (Sketchup, Revit, Rhino<br></li></ul></div><div><br></div></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840"
class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356135" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941868" style="font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline; ">Analysis requirements / desired features</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; "> (we can dream, right?):</span><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356137"><ul class="yiv1473866132yui3-touched"><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418483" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356233">Climate data viewing (we can supplement w/ 'Climate Consultant' for details, but some visualization would be good)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418221" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356235">Capable of free-mode analysis with cogent load assessment outputs</span></li><li
id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418224" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356237">Competent solar / mass-storage analysis (this requirement has killed our interest in Ecotect in previous years)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418231" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356239">Real-time visualization of solar geometry / shading</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418238" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356241">Radiant load visualization capabilities (something we like about Ecotect :)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418327" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356243">Competent daylighting analysis algorithms & daylight autonomy (don't need ray-tracing, but are there any
whole building sim-tools with radiosity and visualization?)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418308" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356245">Standard suite of default HVAC systems with clear interface / toggle options</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418305" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356247">Reasonably detailed HVAC system options for further study</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418315" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356249">Radiant conditioning options</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418160 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356251">GSHP modeling</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span
class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418160 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356253">Natural ventilation (presume we'd need a separate CFD package if desired)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418160 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356255">Double skinned facades</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216">Multi-zone analysis and zone-isolation capabilities<br></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418322" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356257">Clear parametric analysis capabilities (w variants), and good management / graphic outputs</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418448" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356259">Renewable energy systems analysis (at least reasonably robust)</span></li><li
id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418571" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356261">Net zero / grid wheeling parameters</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418474" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356263">Carbon / emissions assessment -- access to regional utility grid source profiles</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418791" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356265">Life cycle cost analysis</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418216"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418798" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356267">probably prefer an E+ engine</span></li></ul></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_20_1342761408313101 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356139" style="font-size:
10pt; "><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; "><br></span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356141" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418640" style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; ">Example packages under consideration:</span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356143"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418660" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356273"><ul class="yiv1473866132 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356275" style="font-size: 16px; "><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418363" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356277" style="font-size: 13px; ">Bentley AECOsim</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418376"
class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356279" style="font-size: 13px; ">BEOpt (concerned about zone limitations)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418709" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356281" style="font-size: 13px; ">Design Advisor </span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418722" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356283" style="font-size: 13px; ">Design Builder</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_20_1342761408313237 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356285" style="font-size: 13px; ">IES-VE</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418188 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356287" style="font-size: 13px; ">LESOSAI (?)</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span
id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418735" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356289" style="font-size: 13px; ">Open Studio</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span class="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_114_1342116149418190 yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356291" style="font-size: 13px; ">TAS</span></li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418632" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356293" style="font-size: 13px; ">Vasari</span> </li><li id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418336">Others? ....what are we missing?</li></ul></span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356147"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418528" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356295" style="font-size: 10pt; ">We're aware of some of the general assets and limitations of the tools above (and their kin), a</span><span
class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356297" style="font-size: 10pt; ">nd obviously no tool can do it all, so perhaps we're asking too much. I'm still expecting that a suite of tools is </span><span class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356299">ultimately</span><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418390"><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418533" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356301" style="font-size: 10pt; "> where we're headed. But we'd be keen to hear the experience of others in making similar purchase / utilization assessments for academic applications.....perhaps people have experimented and feel there's a clear choice for our situation? Or maybe people have thoughts on which tools to aggregate most effectively? ....It's s</span></span><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418538" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356303" style="font-size: 10pt; ">uch a difficult balance between rigor and </span><span
class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356305">accessibility</span><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418462" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356307" style="font-size: 10pt; ">-for-beginners, and so often what works well for professionals in the field is not the best choice for the classroom. But we also don't want to teach students tools that become largely obsolete by the time they graduate.... </span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356149" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_1342116149418261"><br></span></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356151" style="font-size: 10pt; ">Grateful for your thoughts....</div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356153" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840"
class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356155" style="font-size: 10pt; ">Kind regards,</div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356157" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356159" style="font-size: 10pt; ">Adam</div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356161" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356163" style="font-size: 10pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Adjunct Faculty</span><br></div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356165" style="font-size: 10pt; ">University of Colorado, Boulder</div><div id="yiv1473866132yui_3_2_0_103_134211614941840" class="yui_3_2_0_114_1343228463356167" style="font-size: 10pt; "><br></div></span></div> </div></body></html>