Energy Simulator
Summertime Temperatures
A new Summertime Temperatures tool is added to the Steady State Calculations tools. It is used to generate a report of peak temperatures for individual rooms or the entire building.
Maxi Gain Calculation
Calculates the peak heat gain month for all included rooms and the coincident peak month for the group of rooms utilizing the CIBSE Heat Gain calculations.
Calculate Key-ins
The key in string for simulation calculations is revised from former CALC to CALCULATE, and the key in strings following the CALCULATE key-in are now combined into single phrase. The key-in options are provided with the CALCULATE key in to navigate the calculation settings dialog, and to close and save reports.
Fuel Factors
The revised Fuel Factor block in Building Economics Properties now includes a toolbar that allows fuel factors to be specified and stored for each fuel resource (electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil). The New button adds a new Fuel factor object, for each fuel resource. These fuel factors are used in simulation calculations utilizing EnergyPlus.
Source Variable
The need to have a "Source Variable" for Cost Tariff, under Cost Charge Simple and Cost Charge Block in the Building properties - Economics section, is now resolved by defining under "Cost Variable" using the New button on the newly added toolbar. This will be included into the Source Variable list in Cost Charge Block for selection. These Source Variables have been extended for use in simulation calculations utilizing EnergyPlus.
Simulation Reports
The newly added frequency simulation report can be found in the Simulation Results tab. The tree list includes "temperature frequency" reports, which support both graphical and tabulated results viewing. Simulation reports have also added tabulated and graphical reports for Heat Gain, Heat Loss and Maxi Gain (Heat gain over selected months).
Legacy Hevacomp Project Support
OpenBuildings Designer energy simulation extends support to legacy Hevacomp projects by allowing Hevacomp data to be imported and processed in energy simulation workflow.
Support for Radiance Version 5.2
OpenBuildings Designer energy simulation is updated to support the latest version of Radiance. Radiance is an Open Source suite of programs for the analysis and visualization of lighting in design. It employs advanced Monte Carlo ray-tracing with optimizations for complex building geometries and fenestration systems.