Tools for Creating EnergyPlus Input Files

A number of tools are available to create EnergyPlus input files (IDF). These include ECOTECT, EnergyPlugged, EP-GEO & EP-SYS, EP-Quick, ESP-r, and IHIT.

ECOTECT

ECOTECT from Square One couples an intuitive 3D design interface with a comprehensive set of performance analysis functions (visualization, solar and daylighting analysis, shadows and shading, lighting design, thermal performance, UK building regulations, ventilation, and acoustic analysis) with interactive information displays. It also can export an EnergyPlus IDF file.

EnergyPlugged

EnergyPlugged is an Autodesk AutoCAD plug-in to create and edit EnergyPlus input files. EnergyPlugged was conceived to improve and speed up EnergyPlus model creation without loosing control of it, preserving EnergyPlus' flexibility and allowing errors to be found.

With EnergyPlugged you can:

• draw your tridimensional building in AutoCAD or import it from your favorite CAD program
• select each surface with a click and get the geometry data
• check potential relations between objects and select the one you need
• continue adding and editing EnergyPlus objects in the editor
• import datasets objects (schedules, internal gains, ...) in the same or in different layers
• exchange objects between layers
• convert values into SI and IP units
• add and edit comments to objects in the editor for future revisions
• save an .idf file from each layer

EnergyPlugged was released in beta version in January 2008 and works with AutoCAD 2007 and EnergyPlus V2.0 or later. EnergyPlugged can be downloaded from http://www.freewarefiles.com/program_3_231_39460.html

EP GEO and EP SYS

NaturalWorks has developed two spreadsheet-based interfaces that can complement the simple interface tools that are included in the standard EnergyPlus installation.

EP GEO: A simple spreadsheet that uses a set of simple macros to create rectangular building geometry, windows, shading, infiltration, internal gains and temperature control (using 'purchased air'). Rectangular zones can be automatically created in an idf file by simply entering zone height, width and length. An offset in zone origin can be used to insert multiple zones in an existing file.

EP SYS: This spreadsheet allows for creation of Purchased Air, Fan Coil And Variable air Volume systems in a large number of zones. The list of zones in an existing IDF file can be automatically imported and individual zones selected for insertion of one of the three basic types of systems available in the tool.

EP-Quick

EP-Quick creates input files for many different buildings using built in templates for the shape and zone layout. By using templates for commonly shaped buildings and zone layouts, the time needed to create an EnergyPlus input file is greatly reduced and it works for any sized building building. Version 1.0 was released in April 2005.  EP-Quick is now available at no cost.

Start by pressing the "NEW" button, selecting a template and the types of floors. Once a template is selected, zoning and shape are fixed but the overall dimension of the building can be changed. The buildings are "prismatic" and are the same shape and size on all floors. Windows and doors may be added and constructions and schedules may be modified.

Use main "tree" interface to examine and modify the many different details of the building. The main parts of the tree are:

• Overall Geometry - depth, width
• Building - roof, floor, interior constructions
• Defaults - default values used in "Floorplans"
• Internal Gain Types - lighting, people, schedules
• Floorplans - zones, exterior walls, windows, etc
• Corners - locations of the building vertices
• Roof corners - locations of special roof vertices

ESP-r

In keeping with the philosophy of linking the ESP-r simulation suite to other modelling systems, users can now export to EnergyPlus an ESP-r model with materials, constructions, surfaces (all three and four sided surfaces as well as those including one window or one door - more complex surfaces are currently filtered out) and solar shading devices.

Boundary condition attributes are translated and the parent/child relationship between opaque and transparent surfaces established. The exported models usually pass the EnergyPlus parser with no errors or with minor warnings.

Currently, approximate optical properties are established and schedules are not yet included. We anticipate updating the geometric filters to match the current EnergyPlus release as well as including casual gain schedules in the near future.

Those wishing more information about ESP-r or to download the standard distribution can go to www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Programs/ESP-r.htm Those wishing more information about the capabilities of ESP-r can go to www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Programs/ESP-r_capabilities/index.html

Interoperable HVAC Input Tool

The Interoperable HVAC Input Tool (IHIT) is one of many interoperable software tools being developed by the IRUSE research group at the National University of Ireland Cork. IHIT is a HVAC system design tool that allows a building design engineer to create HVAC system information for energy simulation in a context-sensitive format. The building designer creates the energy simulation HVAC model using ISO standard HVAC symbols/icons. IHIT continuously validates the underlying model and automatically outputs the model configuration in EnergyPlus IDF format and IFC neutral file format.

The on-screen schematic will be developed through the use of the drag-and-drop interface greatly reducing the time needed to create a complete HVAC system. This will also work in the alteration of existing files, which can be altered while being viewed through the interface as shown in the provisional screenshot above. The IHIT program will support the existing EnergyPlus autosizing and default values and the output of the tool will be in IDF and IFC with a view to storage in an integrated IFC Building Information Model. A beta version is expected to be operational by mid 2006.

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