Releases: NREL/EnergyPlus
v8.3.1
EnergyPlus 8.3.0
Public Release
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released EnergyPlus version 8.3.0. New feature highlights are listed below. For more information about EnergyPlus, please visit www.energyplus.gov.
Windows packages for EnergyPlus 8.6.0 and prior had a vulnerability in the View3D binary that could expose users to a stack-based buffer overflow. Because of this, all Windows packages 8.6.0 and older have been purged and are no longer available. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Highlights of this release (V8.3.0)
General
- Bug fixes throughout.
Performance
- A major focus after the 8.2.0 release was to get 8.3.0 much better on runtime. Numerous refactors and cleanups were performed in the code and the resulting simulations are generally faster than the 8.1 FORTRAN-based EnergyPlus release.
New Features
- #4514 : Integrated slab calculations extended to also supported basement heat transfer. The slab and basement pre-processors are still packaged, but the new methods provide a much more convenient workflow for users.
- #4442 : Implement new ice storage curve type
- #4472 : Improvements to the ObjexxFCL library, including new vector classes
- #4522 : Modify EnergyPlus structure to expose it as a callable shared library
- #4538 : Add autosizing to fields in humidifiers, low-temp radiant, and district htg/clg
- #4544 : Add a proper command line interface to EnergyPlus
- #4559 : Implement new swimming pool simulation model
- #4570 : Add new data center IT equipment model
- #4624 : Implement new data center HVAC simulation model
- #4635 : Implement new coil vs. space peak sizing simulation logic
- #4692 : Implement new slinky ground heat exchanger simulation model
- #4727 : Implement additional chiller part load curve type
- #4729 : Implement advanced modeling of window operation and envelope infiltration
- #4740 : Implement new gas steam humidifier simulation model
- #4743 : Add EMS dynamic built in variable for WarmupFlag
- #4757 : Implement new thermostat and humidistat fault (offset) simulation logic
- #4764 : Implement HVAC Sizing Simulation for Coincident Plant Sizing
- #4786 : Allow other-side-coefficients in airflow network surfaces
Documentation
- Documentation has been converted to Markdown and is being hosted online. Although a few issues are still being worked out, the bulk of the content is available at http://energyplus.net/documentation.
Platforms
- Windows 7 & 8: 32 and 64-bit versions
- Linux (Ubuntu 14.04 and compatible) 64 bit versions; (32-bit and RHEL-compatible versions may be available via Helpdesk)
- Mac OSX 10.9 64 bit versions
- EnergyPlus v8.3.0 has been developed and tested on all of these platforms
v8.2.10
v8.2.9
v8.2.8
v8.2.7
v8.2.6
Release
EnergyPlus-8.2.6 is an iteration release, with a focus on performance enhancements. Several parts of the code went through overhauls since the release of 8.2.0 and as a result, the code is now faster than 8.1.0 in all of our test cases.
Numbers
We selected a set of input files that were provided by LBNL from an EnergyPlus performance study several years ago. After transition them from version 2.2 to 8.1, then 8.2.0, then 8.2.6, they were run against each package. The results were great for these files:
- Linux
- 8.1.0: 1053.5581 [s]
- 8.2.0: 999.3255 [s]
- 8.2.6: 857.5618 [s]
- Windows
- 8.1.0: 1028.5840 [s]
- 8.2.0: 997.1380 [s]
- 8.2.6: 876.652 [s]
As you can see, these files didn't show a regression from 8.1.0 to 8.2.0. Yet the enhancements made from 8.2.0 to 8.2.6 still showed a very nice speed improvement.
In addition, our set of regression test files, which is comprised primarily of the example files we package with each release, was run on Windows with full annual simulations. The results are:
- 8.1.0: 5:28:33
- 8.2.0: 6:36:59
- 8.2.6: 4:53:50
As you can see on these, the example file set did show a runtime regression with 8.2.0. This has now been addressed to the point where it is now faster than 8.1.0, by about 35 minutes. There is an improvement from 8.2.0 to 8.2.6 of about 103 minutes.
Enhancements
- Link time optimization utilized during release builds
- Solar-shading and interior radiant exchange performance tuning
- Finite difference wall-conduction model tuning
- Array allocation/dimensioning (heap) tuning
Tuning work is now being done continuously by the development team to ensure that EnergyPlus continues to be a more runtime friendly simulation engine.
Caution
This release package is intended for testing/evaluation only!! Because it is an iteration build, it includes some as-yet undocumented features, including input changes. While the transition program that is packaged with this release will transition your 8.2.0 files up to the latest syntax, you will be left with input files that are a mixed-bag between 8.2.0 and the upcoming 8.3.0 release. This will cause issues later, so please don't use this 8.2.6 build for general deployment.
User Notes
We invite you to try out your input files to check whether they are seeing the same speed increases that we have seen in our testing. Input files differ drastically, and can lead to very different hot spots within the code. Most of the enhancements made recently were because a select file (or set of files) were shown to have regressed in runtime. Once these files were identified, it was generally not too difficult to isolate the hot spot and address it.
If you are seeing a regression still from 8.1.0, we invite you to submit a ticket on the EnergyPlus Helpdesk so we can use this file in our tuning work.
Thanks,
EnergyPlus Development Team
v8.2.5
EnergyPlus 8.2.0 Update 1
Public Release
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released EnergyPlus version 8.2.0, the first release of EnergyPlus built on C++ source code. New feature highlights are listed below. For more information about EnergyPlus, please visit www.energyplus.gov.
This is Update 1 of EnergyPlus version 8.2.0 which includes important bug fixes, including a fix for incorrect data in tabular sqlite database outputs. A full list of addressed issues is included with the installer package.
Highlights of this release (V8.2.0)
Core Changes to EnergyPlus
- Internal simulation engine code translated from FORTRAN to C++ to spur the evolution of EnergyPlus through improved interaction with a larger community through a more popular code base, and improved access to code libraries for performance and enhanced capabilities.
- Language change initially caused a slightly slower codebase due to translation overhead, however several restructuring efforts in the code eventually led to EnergyPlus v8.2 being faster than v8.1 in many tests cases.
- Development transitioned to GitHub, where the source code is to be made fully public in the spirit of the open source license.
General
- Bug fixes throughout.
Building Envelope
- Integrated slab calculation now allow improved simulation of ground heat transfer
HVAC, Plant and Refrigeration
- Improved sizing algorithm for including fan heat in cooling coil calculations
- Improved sizing input options for scaling autosized values
- Additional plant load dispatch algorithms based on meeting component part-loading targets
- New models for single-sided natural ventilation with multiple openings
- New on/off fan option for unit heater and unit ventilator
- New fault model for coil fouling
- DOAS direct to zonal water-to-air heat pumps
- Expanded support for table lookup for plant equipment performance
- New zone air mass flow balance option (partially link HVAC flows with zone mixing and infiltration)
Utilities
- Ice storage curve-fit tool
Platforms
- Windows 7 & 8: 64-bit version (32-bit version also available)
- Linux (Ubuntu 14.04 and compatible) 64 bit versions; (32-bit and RHEL-compatible versions may be available via Helpdesk)
- Mac OSX 10.9 64 bit versions
- EnergyPlus v8.2.0 has been tested on all of these platforms