21 Nov 2009 
Support Center » News » EnergyPlus V4.0 released
 EnergyPlus V4.0 released
Posted By: Linda Lawrie On: 12 Oct 2009 07:08 PM
Details EnergyPlus V4.0 released - October 12, 2009

EnergyPlus Version 4.0 Available

The latest release of the EnergyPlus building energy simulation program, Version 4.0, is now available in versions for Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. A few key new features include: EMS applications, new menu navigation scheme, new applicaiton guides, Zone Dehumidifier, Zone Water to Air HeatPump. We have updated and extended capabilities throughout the existing building envelope, daylighting, and HVAC equipment and systems portions of the program.

EnergyPlus V 4.0 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 (pop-ups must be enabled).

The set of example input files now includes full-blown models of typical new construction (drawn from the DOE Commercial Benchmarks project).

What's New in Version 4.0?

The highlights – improved and new features – are displayed by category.

Datasets
· SandiaPVdata.imf macro data set updated with latest set of input data from SNL for Sandia PV model.
· Weather (EPW) and stat files now include field for rainfall. Weather data has all been reprocessed for V4.0 -- includes 2009 ASHRAE design conditions (if available), WMO# in file name, and several new or revised data sets.

Input
· Simple definition of underground walls and floors with C and F factors for code compliance.
· Users can now define a window glazing system using U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), and visible transmittance (VT).
· Delimiter field added to Schedule:File object.
· Switchable windows report variables: switching factor (tint level) and visible transmittance at each time step.
· Inputs for parametric preprocessor added including values, logic, run control, and file naming.

Zone Model
· Source sink simulation and variable thermal conductivity property added to Conduction Finite Difference model.
· Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
· Large Horizontal Openings added to AirflowNetwork

HVAC
· Plant and Condenser Loops merged with significant improvements throughout.
· Walk-in Refrigeration, Refrigeration Cascade Condenser, and Refrigeration Secondary Loop.
· Evaporative Fluid Cooler.
· Zone water-to-air heat pump (ZoneHVAC:WaterToAirHeatPump).
· Zone air dehumidifier (ZoneHVAC:Dehumidifier:DX).
· Plant Pressure Drop can be calculated.
· Improved convergence tolerance for most unitary systems.
· Improved control of heat recovery in outside air systems during economizer operation.

Controls and User Funcations
· EnergyManagementSystem implemented, including EnergyPlus runtime language with numerous actuators. A separate Application guide covers its use.

Environmental Impacts
· Schedules for fuel factors fully implemented in output reporting.

Output
· Fanger PPD thermal comfort report variable added.
· Daylight metrics added: Time Exceeding Daylight Illuminance Setpoint at Ref Point 1 and 2.
· Air Node Density can be reported for air nodes.
· Infiltration, Mixing, and Ventilation air flow rates may be reported using standard density or current density.
· ReportDuringWarmup added to Output:Diagnostics object.

Utilities
· ParametricPreprocessor utility creates multiple IDF files from one and varying them parametrically.
· IDFConverter utility available - a GUI for transitioning input files, including converting a list of files, from any older version to any newer version.
· EP-Launch now automatically checks for updated versions of EnergyPlus, it runs the ParametricPreprocessor when necessary, and the utility tab includes IDFConverter.
· Weather Converter can now calculate solar radiation from available data. Improved export and import of .wea (Ecotect) files.
· IDF Editor saves IP/SI view status with each file edited.

Documentation and Guides
· New, more unified menu scheme for navigating documenation.
· Two new application guides: Energy Management System Application Guide and Using EnergyPlus for Compliance.
· Input/Output Reference and Engineering Reference updated and extended for all new features and updates and renaming. Total documentation now exceeds 4,400 pages.

Validation and Testing
· New EnergyPlus Testing Reports:
· · IEA BESTEST In-Depth Ground Coupled Heat Transfer Tests Related to Slab-on-Grade Construction.
· · IEA BESTEST Multi-Zone Non-Airflow In-Depth Diagnostic Cases MZ320 - MZ360.

Platforms
· Windows (tested for Windows 7)
· Linux
· Mac (tested for SnowLeopard)

And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout.

See http://www.energyplus.gov/features.html for a complete list of new features added in this and previous versions.

Update on User Interfaces and Tools?

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 (http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_interfaces.html ) for up-to-date information on these and other interfaces.

Utilities and tools for creating, editing, and running input files that come with EnergyPlus include IDF Editor, EP-Launch, and HVAC-Diagram (see http://www.energyplus.gov/ep_utilities.html ). 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 http://www.energyplus.gov/third_party_tools.html for more information.



EnergyPlus Training Workshops

We will continue to offer training workshops throughout 2009. 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://www.energyplus.gov/cfm/weather_data.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 Dru Crawley (Drury.Crawley@ee.doe.gov).

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@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.


EnergyPlus_Support Group at YahooGroups

Are you a commercial or academic user of EnergyPlus? Join more than 2,000 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 7+ 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.


The main web page for the group is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support

To subscribe, send an email message to:
EnergyPlus_Support-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you hate to constantly receive email, you can edit your YahooGroup membership to only send a daily digest of messages.

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 building energy simulation programs. Ask other knowledgeable simulation program users your questions--about EnergyPlus and other simulation programs. See http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org for information on joining this email list.

Thanks!

The EnergyPlus Team




 User Comments Add a Comment
 Back
 Login [Lost Password] 
Email:
Password:
Remember Me:
 
 Search
 News Options
 Add Comment
 Print
 PDF Version
 Add to Favorites
Home | Register | Submit a Ticket | Knowledgebase | Troubleshooter | News | Downloads
Language:

Helpdesk Software by Kayako eSupport v3.50.05