EnergyPlus Version 7.1 and OpenStudio Legacy Plug-in 1.0.8 Available

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 Plug-in for Google SketchUp is available,
which makes it possible to perform EnergyPlus simulations using
Google's user-friendly 3-D drawing interface.
Visit www.energyplus.gov to learn more and download EnergyPlus and
OpenStudio Plug-in now.

Enhancements in the New Versions

General

* EnergyPlus can now use multi-core processors to speed execution of
models with large geometry descriptions. The solution for inside face
surface temperatures was threaded using OpenMP technology.
* The Design Day object was restructured and allows finer control
over humidity conditions.
* The Run Period object was extended to include features useful for
real-time and real-weather simulations.

Datasets

* New equipment performance data set for 110 different air-cooled
chillers - see the file AirCooledChiller.idf

Input

* Corrected or clarified the units for various input fields

Zone and Surface Models

* Many new output variables were added to expand the reporting
available for surface heat transfer model results.
* The modeling of internal gains was revised and improved to
facilitate integrating HVAC equipment skin losses and the zone
thermal model. Losses from plant pumps can now be added to thermal zones.

Natural and Mechanical Ventilation

* New comprehensive modeling of the concentration of a generic
gaseous contaminant in zone air including internal emission sources
and ventilation controls.
* Added system-level zone maximum outdoor air fraction for
ventilation rate procedure for sizing and annual calculations.
* Added support for multi-path air distribution systems in the
ventilation rate procedure based on the ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for
annual calculations.
* Added Demand Controlled Ventilation for sizing calculations based
on ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for both single- and multi-path systems.

HVAC and Refrigeration

* Commercial refrigeration models were expanded to include systems
that use transcritical CO2.
* A new coil system was added for modeling air-to-air heat pump coils
in built-up air handlers, outdoor air systems, and zone outdoor air units.
* Fan-powered induction air terminal units can now draw secondary air
from plenums.
* Added autosizing for hot water baseboards in HVACTemplates.
* Added pumping options, piping configurations, fluid types, and
additional controls to HVACTemplate plant loops.
* Added additional control and part load ratio inputs to
HVACTemplate:Plant:Chiller and HVACTemplate:Plant:Boiler.
* Added additional error checking to HVACTemplate objects.
* Added model for Integral-Collector-Storage (ICS) solar collectors
for hot water heating.
* Added the ability to use hot water (or steam) coils in various HVAC
equipment that have options for different types of heating coils.
* The models for adding/removing heat to/from the return air stream
were improved to add maximum and minimum limits on the temperature of
the return air (+60C, -30C).
* The Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV) standard rating for chillers
can now be calculated from the chiller input and reported.
* Added "High/Low Temperature Heating Standard (Net) Rating Capacity"
and HSPF calculation routines for single speed air source heatpumps.
* Added two-stage compression with intercooling to the detailed
commercial refrigeration cycle model.
* New model to reset condenser loop temperature setpoints using
predetermined curves that reduce net energy consumption for the
chiller and cooling tower plant.
* New "ideal" model to reset condenser loop temperature setpoints
using a search algorithm to find the near-optimal setpoint at a given
timestep which gives the minimum total chiller, cooling tower,
chilled water pump and condenser water pump power consumption.
* The heat pump water heater model can now use a stratified thermal tank.
* Added a new model for variable speed, water-to-air heat pumps.

Controls and User Functions

* A new category of HVAC and plant components was added that allow
using EMS's capabilities to create user-defined models of new and
unique equipment. Users can now define their own component models
using new IDF objects that serve as generic holders for zone
forced-air units, coils in an air handler, zone air terminal units,
or plant components.
* The EnergyPlus Runtime Language used for EMS programming was
extended to include WHILE loops and to allow directly evaluating
curve and table IDF objects from inside programs.
* New EMS Actuators were added including: surface construction,
surface outside boundary conditions, and refrigeration system
condenser minimum temperature limit.
* The ExternalInterface used for co-simulation was extended to allow
using Functional Mock-up Units (FMU) including a FMU parser for
pre-processing FMUs.

Output

* Multiple daylight illuminance maps can now be generated for a single zone.
* Energy meters have been added to output summary reports.
* A new sizing report related to ASHRAE Standard 62.1 has been added
to output summary reports

Documentation and Guides

* Documentation has been updated for all documents.

Platforms

* Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) 32 and 64 bit versions
* Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 and above, Redhat 5.4 and above) 32 and 64 bit versions
* Mac (with Intel processors) (10.6, 10.7) 32 and 64 bit versions
* EnergyPlus V 7.1 has been tested on all of these platforms

And many other enhancements and speed improvements throughout.
Suggestion: get as much memory as possible in your computer for
running EnergyPlus.

Thanks!
The EnergyPlus Team