Tag Archives: EnergyPlus

EPGUI Renamed to Simergy!

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The joint venture of LBNL, Infosys and others documented on this site in the past has gotten an official name it appears … Simergy! Check out the more information on the project at the LBNL Simergy website Simergy is a comprehensive graphical user interface (GUI) for the US Department of Energy’s building energy simulation program EnergyPlus that will be free to the end user when it is released in 2012. User requirements were defined through a series of workshops for practitioners. Simergy includes a ‘drag and drop’ component-level schematic editor for HVAC systems. Building envelope geometry can be imported from CAD / BIM tools using the industry standard protocols IFC and gbXML or can be generated by Simergy. A comprehensive set of templates and libraries is being developed, as well as an interactive output reporting framework. Simergy is planned to include a comprehensive set of well-documented Application Programming Interfaces (API’s) to facilitate development of third party contributions. Simergy is being developed by a public/private partnership led by LBNL. Professional versions of the GUI are planned by private sector partners.

Six New YouTube Videos on OpenStudio v0.5 Release

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Courtesy of NREL OpenStudio Youtube New Geometry Tools in OpenStudio 0.5 (Space Diagram and Projecting Loose Geometry) This video shows some new geometry creation tools in OpenStudio 0.5 More New in OpenStudio 0.5 (Spaces, Space Types, Stories and Thermal Zones) This video introduces some new concepts in OpenStudio 0.5. Geometry is now contained by a space rather than a thermal zone. One or a number of spaces combine to create a thermal zone. Spaces can also be associated with a space type and a building story. More New in OpenStudio 0.5 (The Object Inspector) This video introduces you to the new Object Inspector in the OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin. This is the next generation of the Object Information Window. Instead of an HTML dialog within SketchUp, this is it’s own application that launches and quits with SketchUp. Data from the model is synchronized between the SketchUp and Inspector window. When you select an object in SketchUp, this is where you can see and alter attributes. For most situations this will replace the need to use OpenStudio ModelEditor. More Applying Surface Constructions in OpenStudio 0.5 This video describes the different ways you can apply surface constructions to your model. While you can still apply surfaces to each … Continue reading →

Bentley AECOsim Energy Simulator Preview

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I recently had the chance to get my hands on a second beta version of Bentley’s new AECOsim Energy Simulator for building simulation. The version I tested was v08.11.07.78. The first time I had a chance to see AECOsim was at the ASHRAE BEM Conference where it was demonstrated by Dru Crawley. Soon after I received the first Beta which was not at a good state for review. This version however is at a point where it is worth previewing. The overview of the interface is that it is built into the Bentley Microstation platform offering a familiar CAD style interface with various 2D and 3D views for model creation. Right and Left click methods and tool bars will be familiar to Microstation users, but maybe not for others. A ribbon style main toolbar now part of most modern .NET Windows applications is also available in the interface to organize the various built-in utilities and menus. I only used the application for a short period of time, so it is possible my review may touch upon areas that I did not fully understand, in which case I will update this post should I find anything was incorrect due to my inexperience. Keep reading below for my full review.

OpenStudio Release v.0.4.0

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On June 24th NREL released version 0.4.0 of the OpenStudio suite of tools for analysis and development. Release note below. DOE/NREL’s newest version of OpenStudio suite of tools and SDK, Version 0.4.0, was released on June 24, 2011. Included in this release is a new Application called the Policy Analysis Tool as well as bug fixes and new features related to OpenStudio and its applications. See Downloads for further details. Release notes can be found here. Keep an eye out for showcase of new features on NREL’s OpenStudio YouTube Channel Enjoy!