Developing a new-generation building simulation tool in the United States

D. B. Crawley, L. K. Lawrie, C. O. Pedersen, R. J. Liesen, D. E. Fisher, R. K. Strand, R. D. Taylor, F. C. Winkelmann, W. F. Buhl, A. E. Erdem, Y. J. Huang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In 1995, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) began planning for a new generation of building simulation tools. As p art of this planning activity, DOE created an inventory of DOE-sp onsored tools in early 1996. By mid-1996, this work had evolved into a web-based directory with information on 50 software tools. Today, the directory contains information on more than 125 tools from around the world. To inform the simulation tool planning efforts, DOE sponsored workshops in August 1995 and June 1996, inviting energy simulation developers and users. Af ter the two workshops, DOE began defining the structure and capabilitiesof a new building energy simulation tool by building on experience with two well-known p rograms: DOE-2 and BLAST. Development of the new p rogram, EnergyPlus, started in early 1996 and release is plannedfor 2000. EnergyPlus is intended to replace both DOE-2 and BLAS T. EnergyPlus will include innovative simulation features including variable time steps, built-in and external modular systems integratedwith a heat and mass balance-based zone simulation, interzone airflow, and new ground heat transfer modules. This paper describes the structure of the web-based tools directory, the results of the two workshops, the capabilities and structure of Ene rgyPlus, and DOE’ s fu ture plans for building simulation tools development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationBuildings VII
Subtitle of host publicationThermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings
PublisherAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
ISBN (Electronic)1883413702, 9781883413705
StatePublished - Jan 1 1998
Event7th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 1998 - Clearwater, United States
Duration: Dec 6 1998Dec 10 1998

Publication series

NameThermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings
ISSN (Electronic)2166-8469

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 1998
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityClearwater
Period12/6/9812/10/98

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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