(with apologies for cross posting)

Simergy v1.0 was released today. Simergy is a free graphical user
interface (GUI) that enables DOE's whole-building energy modeling
engine EnergyPlus to be used more easily and effectively. Simergy helps
meet the advanced building energy modeling needs of architects,
mechanical engineers, simulation consultants, energy analysts and
sustainability consultants. Simergy can be downloaded from
simergy.lbl.gov . (Note that the registration
process is separate from the EnergyPlus registration process, though if
you aren't already registered for EnergyPlus, you can download it with
Simergy.)

Simergy features include:

?Ability to manage and evaluate design alternatives.

?Versatile geometry creation capabilities that include: standard shapes,
extruded floor plans from 2-D CAD and 3-D import from Building
Information Models (BIM) using industry-based standard schemas such as
IFC-Design Concept BIM and Green Building XML (gbXML).

?Libraries of construction materials, default operating schedules and
HVAC equipment and templates for both conventional and low-energy HVAC
systems.

?Drag-and-drop HVAC schematic editing that can be used to both customize
standard templates and to create innovative HVAC designs from scratch.

?Customized summary reports and interactive results visualization that
allow simulation results explored individually in different levels of
detail and across multiple design alternatives.

A series of video tutorials
and guides to Simergy's
structure and capabilities is available on the Simergy website
.

Simergy is funded by a private-public partnership between DOE's BTO, the
California Energy Commission, Infosys, Trane, Hydro-Qu?bec and the
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. It is developed by a team led by
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), supported by
software developer Digital Alchemy.