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Updated Energy Plus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released

Codes and Standards

Updated Energy Plus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released

Software offers performance enhancements.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 27, 2020

Courtesy Pixabay

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Laboratories released updated versions of open-source, whole-building energy modeling tools: the EnergyPlus engine and the OpenStudio software development kit and graphical application.

EnergyPlus 9.3.0 continues to emphasize object-oriented refactoring and defect resolution. It includes refactored implementations of all coils and plant components, as well as fixes for 76 known issues and bugs.

EnergyPlus 9.3.0 also incorporates several performance enhancements from the EnergyPlus 10X project, including the ability to run shading calculations on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). One significant upgrade in EnergyPlus 9.3.0 is the capability to write Energy Management System (EMS) scripts in Python.

OpenStudio 3.0.0 supports the latest version of EnergyPlus, 9.3.0. This, and the latest version of Radiance 5.0.a.12, are bundled with OpenStudio distribution. This OpenStudio release includes updates to the SDK, Server, and Standards gem.

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