[Ibpsausa] EnergyPlus V6.0 Released

[Linda Lawrie]

EnergyPlus Version 6.0 Available

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.

EnergyPlus V 6.0 is available at no cost from the 
EnergyPlus web site:  www.energyplus.gov.

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.

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.

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.

What's New in Version 6.0?

The highlights ­ improved and new features ­ are displayed by category.

General
*  Significant speed increases, up to 25-40% 
execution time reduction in most simulations, 
depending on specific features used
*  Revised reference building examples (formerly benchmark buildings)
*  New detailed 130-zone hospital baseline and low energy example files.

Datasets
*  New dataset for life cycle costing with 
regional U.S. fuel escalation factors.
*  Doubled number of refrigerated cases in refrigerated case data set

Input
*  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.
*  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.
*  Windows and Daylighting
*  New reporting of pre-calculated hourly daylight factors.
*  Allow glazing defined with spectral data to be 
used with between-glass shades and blinds.
*  Window 6.3 (fenestration modeling software) 
will be able to export EnergyPlus IDF segments for window modeling.

Zone and Surface Models
*  New surface heat transfer convection 
coefficient options, including adaptive model, 
many new correlations, and user-defined equations.
*  Movable outside insulation, with transparent 
insulation material (TIM) capability, added to 
conduction finite difference model.
*  Ecoroof model now has two moisture diffusion 
calculation methods - simple and advanced.
*  Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
*  New comprehensive modeling of CO2 
concentrations in zone air, including internal 
emission sources and ventilation controls.
*  New simplified model for interactions between 
mechanical ventilation, infiltration and duct leakage.

HVAC
*  New separate sizing factors for heating and cooling.
*  Enhanced Fan Coil model to allow constant 
water-flow capacity control with multi-speed and variable-speed fan.
*  Enhanced inputs for variable volume fan minimum power rate.
*  Enhanced reheat coil sizing.
*  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.
*  Enhanced hot water coil model with variable UA 
resulting in significant improvement in hot water flow rate calculations.
*  New basin heater model added to the single 
speed, two speed, multi speed and multi mode DX coil models.
*  New multi-cell feature added for three types 
of cooling towers: single speed, two-speed, and the variable speed.
*  New HVACTemplate support for heating/cooling 
sizing factors, VAV minimum flow rate options, VAV terminal unit controls.

Refrigeration
*  Multiple refrigeration systems can now share a single condenser.
*  Refrigeration condenser fan models enhanced 
and added input for minimum air flow rate.
*  Refrigeration condenser output enhanced to 
identify recovered energy used internally for defrost and for other purposes.

Electrical Systems
*  New transformer model for electrical power service and on-site generation.

Controls and User Functions
*  New dual-max control for VAV reheat terminal 
units with reverse acting damper and hot-water coil.
*  New maximum supply air temperature limit for VAV reheat terminal units.
*  New averaged setpoint managers allow control 
of supply temperature and humidity ratio based on 
requirements of multiple zones.
*  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.
*  New All-Off equipment operation scheme option 
added for plant and condenser loops.
*  Weather variables added as energy management system (EMS) actuators.

Economics
*  New life cycle cost calculations.

Output
*  New reporting of EER and IEER (in addition to 
SEER) for DX cooling coils with air cooled condensers.
*  Enhanced SQLite output to include error file content.

Utilities
*  New EP-Launch option to run multiple 
simulations simultaneously, taking advantage of 
multiple processors (Windows platform only).
*  Enhanced output file access in EP-Launch (Windows platform only).
*  IDF Converter (Transition GUI) can now save intermediate versions.

Platforms
*  Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7)
*  Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 and above, Redhat 5.4 and above)
*  Mac (10.5, 10.6)
*  EnergyPlus V 6.0 has been tested on all of these platforms.
*  ParametricPreprocessor executable added to Linux and Mac distribution.
*  DElight simulations added to Linux and Mac distribution.

And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout.

EnergyPlus Training Workshops

We will continue to offer training 
workshops.  For more information, please see:  http://www.gard.com/training.htm

EnergyPlus Weather Data

Weather data for more than 2000 locations 
worldwide are available on the EnergyPlus web 
site:  http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/weatherdata_about.cfm

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 at gard.com.

EnergyPlus Helpdesk

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 at 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.

Building Energy Simulation User News

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 http://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/un.html

BLDG-SIM

Join the free e-mail list for users of all 
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Thanks!

The EnergyPlus Team


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