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<font size=3>EnergyPlus Version 5.0 Available<br><br>
The latest release of the EnergyPlus building energy simulation program,
Version 5.0, is now available in versions for Windows, Linux, and Mac
operating systems. A few key new features include: enhancements to EMS
applications, new application guides, Wind Turbine, External Interface,
Zone Ventilation for Wind and Stack Open Area. 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 5.0 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 (pop-ups must
be enabled).<br><br>
The set of example input files now includes full-blown models of typical
new construction (drawn from the DOE Commercial Benchmarks
project).<br><br>
What's New in Version 5.0?<br><br>
The highlights improved and new features are displayed by
category.<br><br>
Datasets<br>
* New refrigerated case data set <br><br>
Input<br>
* Slab and Basement preprocessors integrated to run
automatically prior to EnergyPlus simulation <br>
* New "Unit Type" field for schedules to support
units conversions of schedule values <br>
* Added ExternalInterface to connect to the Building Controls
Virtual Test Bed using Ptolemy <br><br>
Geometry/Window/Wall/Shading<br>
* 2-node ConductionFiniteDifferenceSimplified model added
<br><br>
Daylighting<br>
* Allow switchable windows like electrochromic windows to
continuously dim, instead of only switching to fully dark state. Allows
the zone to meet the maximum glare index while providing daylight for
spaces <br><br>
Zone Model<br>
* Analytical and Euler solution options for zone air heat
balance added <br><br>
Natural and Mechanical Ventilation<br>
* Added minimum outdoor air flow rate operation controls to
single and dual duct VAV air terminals <br>
* Added maximum supply air flow rate during reheat to single
duct VAV air terminal <br>
* New object ZoneHVAC:OutdoorAir to describe outdoor air flow
rate for use by other objects <br>
* New ZoneVentilation:WindandStackOpenArea object calculates
ventilation rates based on winds and stack effects <br>
* Zone HVAC outdoor air unit module for make-up air and DOAS
<br><br>
HVAC and Refrigeration<br>
* Refrigeration loops can now model CO2 secondary loops <br>
* Lighting in refrigerated cases revised to better match
manufacturer's practices <br>
* Zone-side impacts of refrigerant piping heat exchange added
<br>
* Default 'on' schedules for refrigerated cases and walk-ins
added <br>
* Dual layer controls for radiant systems removed <br>
* Basin heater added to all chillers except absorption
chillers <br>
* Basin heater added to one and two speed cooling towers
<br>
* Pumps can ride curves based on pressure <br>
* New steam baseboard with radiant heat <br>
* New electric radiant/convective baseboard <br>
* Added HVACTemplate:Zone:WaterToAirHeatPump and
HVACTemplate:Plant:MixedWaterLoop <br>
* Standard rating (net) cooling capacity and SEER value
reported for single speed DX cooling coil with air-cooled condenser
<br><br>
Electrical Systems<br>
* Improved methodology for electric load dispatch via the
electric load center<br><br>
Controls and User Functions<br>
* Enhancements to EMS including: system timestep built-in
variable, detect unbalanced parentheses in Erl, custom schedule output,
and coupling with ExternalInterface <br>
* External Interface to the Building Controls Virtual Test
Bed (BCVTB) opens EnergyPlus to external programs. <br><br>
On-Site Energy Supply<br>
* Wind turbine module (horizontal and vertical axis turbines)
<br><br>
Output<br>
* New predefined output table for DX cooling coils as part of
EquipmentSummary report summarize the calculated capacity and SEER values
<br>
* New simulations database table and tabular reports data
added to SQL database output <br>
* Added report variables for beam and diffuse solar radiation
for blinds <br>
* Users can turn off most surface variables to a minimal
critical set with single command. Allows tremendous reduction in
execution time for large projects with many surfaces <br><br>
Utilities<br>
* New utility EP-Compare allows users to graphically compare
results from two simulations <br>
* IDF Editor supports IP units in schedules and other objects
<br>
* EP-Launch, IDF Editor, and WeatherConverter updates
throughout <br><br>
Documentation and Guides<br>
* Two new guides: Tips and Tricks Using EnergyPlus, and
External Interface Application Guide <br>
* Input/Output Reference and Engineering Reference updated
and extended for all new features and updates. Total documentation now
exceeds 4,700 pages <br>
* New translation capability added to EnergyPlus web site
allows translation into 50 languages <br><br>
Validation and Testing<br>
* New EnergyPlus Testing Reports: <br>
* EnergyPlus Testing with IEA BESTEST Mechanical Equipment
& Control Strategies for a Chilled Water and a Hot Water System
<br><br>
Platforms<br>
* Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) <br>
* Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 and above, Redhat 5.4 and above) <br>
* Mac (10.5, 10.6) <br><br>
And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout. <br><br>
See
<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/features.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.energyplus.gov/features.html</a> for a complete list of new
features added in this and previous versions.<br><br>
Update on User Interfaces and Tools?<br><br>
Many user interfaces that create and run EnergyPlus input files and
display results graphically are available (Demand Response Quick
Assessment Tool, DesignBuilder, Easy EnergyPlus, EFEN, Hevacomp, and
HLCP) and under development (ComFen, TREATPlus and EPlusInterface).
Check our web site
(<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_interfaces.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_interfaces.html </a>) for up-to-date
information on these and other interfaces.<br><br>
Utilities and tools for creating, editing, and running input files that
come with EnergyPlus include IDF Editor, EP-Launch, and HVAC-Diagram (see
<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_utilities.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_utilities.html</a> ). Third party tools for
creating, editing, and displaying EnergyPlus input files are also
available, including DrawBDL, EcoTect, EnergyPlugged, ESP-r, Green
Building Studio, EzDrawPlus, IFCtoIDF, TSe+, and EzPlus-Parm. See
<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/third_party_tools.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.energyplus.gov/third_party_tools.html</a> for more
information.<br><br>
<br><br>
EnergyPlus Training Workshops<br><br>
We will continue to offer training workshops throughout 2010. For
more information, please see:
<a href="http://www.gard.com/training.htm" eudora="autourl">
http://www.gard.com/training.htm<br><br>
</a>EnergyPlus Weather Data<br><br>
Weather data for more than 2000 locations worldwide are available on the
EnergyPlus web site:
<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/cfm/weather_data.cfm%A0" eudora="autourl">
http://www.energyplus.gov/cfm/weather_data.cfm </a> <br><br>
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>
EnergyPlus Helpdesk<br><br>
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>
<br>
EnergyPlus_Support Group at YahooGroups<br><br>
Are you a commercial or academic user of EnergyPlus? Join more than
3,000 EnergyPlus users in the user-to-user email group on YahooGroups—a
place to ask questions and share information with other EnergyPlus users.
The YahooGroup also provides a searchable archive of all 9+ years of
discussion. You can also upload files to share with other users. While
the EnergyPlus development team does monitor the YahooGroup list, the
best place for individualized support is the EnergyPlus
Helpdesk.<br><br>
<br>
The main web page for the group is:<br>
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support" eudora="autourl">
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support<br><br>
</a>To subscribe, send an email message to:<br>
EnergyPlus_Support-subscribe@yahoogroups.com<br><br>
If you hate to constantly receive email, you can edit your YahooGroup
membership to only send a daily digest of messages.<br><br>
Building Energy Simulation User News<br><br>
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>
</a> <br>
BLDG-SIM<br><br>
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>
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