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<font size=3>EnergyPlus Version 7.2 and OpenStudio Legacy Plug-in 1.0.9
Available<br><br>
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released an updated version of
EnergyPlus simulation software for modeling heating, cooling, lighting,
ventilating, and other building energy flows. Additionally, a new
version of OpenStudio Legacy Plug-in for Trimble SketchUp is available,
which makes it possible to perform EnergyPlus simulations using
Sketchup's user-friendly 3-D drawing interface.<br>
Visit
<a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/" eudora="autourl">
www.energyplus.gov</a> to learn more and download EnergyPlus and
OpenStudio Plug-in now.<br><br>
Highlights of this release (V7.2.0.006)<br>
** The highlights – improved and new features – are displayed by
category.<br><br>
General<br>
* Speed improvements and many bug fixes throughout. <br><br>
Datasets<br>
* WindowConstructs.idf was revised so annotations properly reflect U,
SHGC, TSOL, TVIS values in EnergyPlus <br>
* FluidPropertiesRefData.idf was revised remove unused superheated
specific heat objects. Data sources documented. <br><br>
Input<br>
* Corrected or clarified the units for various input fields <br>
* Windows and Daylighting<br>
* New detailed model for complex window systems with Bi-directional
Scattering Distribution Functions (BSDF). <br><br>
Zone and Surface Models<br>
* Multiple surface heat transfer algorithms (CTF, CondFD, EMPD, HAMT) can
now be used in a single simulation and selected for individual surfaces
and constructions. <br>
* Changed model coefficients for the default outside face surface
convection heat transfer correlations called "DOE-2" and
"MoWiTT." <br><br>
HVAC and Refrigeration<br>
* Expanded model for Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) to allow
simultaneous heating and cooling (heat recovery) and water-cooled
condensers. <br>
* New detailed models for variable-speed DX cooling and heating coils.
<br>
* Zone sizing expanded to add method for the design supply air
temperature to be based on differences with zone temperature. <br>
* Detailed ice storage model expanded for inside melt systems to start
charging from a bare coil. <br>
* HVAC equipment standard rating calculations (Net capacity, SEER, IEER)
expanded for multispeed DX coils, multi-speed heat pumps, and packaged
variable air volume units. <br>
* Improved warning message content when HVAC simulation maximum
iterations limit is exceeded. <br>
* Added option for non-coincident sizing in HVACTemplate system objects.
<br>
* Added options for humidity setpoints and desuperheater in HVACTemplate
for dedicated outdoor air systems. <br>
* Added options for supply air temperatures in HVACTemplate for zone
sizing. <br>
* Added options for supplementary heating coil to be hot water in
HVACTemplates for heatpump and unitary equipment. <br>
* Added options for substituting specific chiller, boiler, and cooling
tower objects for the defaults normally generated by HVACTemplates.
<br><br>
Controls and User Functions<br>
* System availability managers expanded to control operation of
additional types of zone equipment including: fan coil units, zone energy
recovery ventilators, zone outdoor air units, variable refrigerant flow
terminals, and ventilated slabs. <br>
* Availability schedule added to daylighting controls. <br><br>
Output<br>
* Error messages improved for recurring errors. <br>
* Tabular reports improved formatting and clean up. <br>
* Documentation and Guides<br>
* Documentation has been updated for all documents. <br><br>
Platforms<br>
* Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) 32 and 64 bit versions <br>
* Linux (Ubuntu 12.04 and compatible) 32 and 64 bit versions <br>
* Mac (10.6, 10.7 and 10.8) 32 and 64 bit versions <br>
* EnergyPlus V 7.2 has been tested on all of these platforms <br><br>
And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout. <br>
Suggestion: get as much memory as possible in your computer for <br>
running EnergyPlus.<br><br>
Thanks!<br>
The EnergyPlus Team <br>
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