What is EnergyPlus?

EnergyPlus is a building energy simulation program used by engineers, architects, and researchers to model energy consumption in buildings. It can simulate heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, plug loads, water use, and various other energy flows in a building. As a software tool, EnergyPlus allows users to conduct building load calculations and size equipment appropriately.

EnergyPlus employs the heat balance method and can be operated on various operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Being an open-source platform, its source code is available for inspection and modification, which encourages collaborative development and innovation. Initially written in Fortran, EnergyPlus was later converted to C++ in 2014, enhancing its capabilities.

The simulation engine of EnergyPlus is capable of detailed modeling of airflow in buildings, including natural and mechanical ventilation, and the interactions between them. It supports a wide range of HVAC configurations with its detailed HVAC input objects, which can be expanded from simplified representations using a preprocessor called ExpandObjects.

EnergyPlus is also recognized for its extensive documentation, which assists users in using the program effectively and includes guides on quick starts, input and output references, engineering, and compliance. Additionally, EnergyPlus supports two main input file formats, IDF and epJSON, and can convert between these formats. It is also a tool for parametric analysis and co-simulation, and it can be executed from the command line.

As for the service aspect, EnergyPlus offers rewards for paying energy bills, including electric and gas rewards, sign-up bonuses, and monthly rewards. However, the savings are not guaranteed and the prices may be higher than the utility's supply rate. Users should be aware that delivery charges from the utility will still apply after switching to EnergyPlus service.

In terms of data, EnergyPlus is an open-source whole-building energy modeling (BEM) engine that has been under development since 1997. It utilizes detailed building physics to simulate air, moisture, and heat transfer and includes a large set of HVAC and plant component models. EnergyPlus is capable of sub-hourly time steps and has a programmable external interface for advanced control and integration with other systems. It adheres to the ASHRAE Standard 140 methodology for testing and has been recognized with an R&D 100 award in 2003.

EnergyPlus Plugins for Excel

Integration with Excel Data

The integration of EnergyPlus with Excel allows users to import external schedule data from CSV or other text file formats through the Schedule:File object. Additionally, tools like EMS and Eppy can be utilized to import Excel data directly into EnergyPlus, enabling the use of Excel data to plugin with an EnergyPlus IDF file using Eppy.

Extending Functionality with Plugins

Plugins play a significant role in extending the capabilities of the Energy Management System (EMS) within EnergyPlus. They are primarily written in the Python programming language and are designed to leverage EnergyPlus API callback functions. These plugins can be used to add custom functionality to EnergyPlus, such as evaluating custom control strategies and physical component models.

Custom Control and Calculations

EnergyPlus plugins enable users to write scripts that manipulate control settings and read simulation data. They offer the flexibility to perform custom calculations, pushing the boundaries of what traditional Energy Management Systems can do. With the ability to access all of the standard Python library capabilities, the potential for customization is vast.

Potential Implications of Plugin Use

While plugins offer extended functionality, they require structural additions to the EnergyPlus package, which may increase the size of the installer. Additionally, the use of plugins might lead to complications with the Python installation and can make debugging plugin-related issues more challenging.

Common Use Cases

• E

  
  Use case 1: Importing and exporting .epJSON and .IDF files for data interchange and analysis
• E

  
  Use case 2: Conducting parametric analysis and optimization of building models
• E

  
  Use case 3: Creating and editing IDF files using Excel formulas and macros
• E

  
  Use case 4: Analyzing EnergyPlus simulation results within Excel for advanced data processing
• E

  
  Use case 5: Utilizing the Schedule:File object to integrate external schedule data from CSV files into IDF

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I import and edit .epJSON and .IDF data files in EpXL?

EpXL supports the import, export, and editing of both .epJSON and .IDF data files, enabling you to manage your EnergyPlus simulation data directly within Excel.

Does EpXL provide any error-checking capabilities for EnergyPlus input data?

Yes, EpXL offers error-checking capabilities for input data to ensure accuracy before running simulations.

Can I view the 3D model of my building simulation in EpXL?

EpXL allows users to view the 3D model of the building simulation, which can help in visualizing and verifying the building geometry and features.

Is there a way to automatically import simulation output into Excel using EpXL?

The plugin can automatically import simulation output into Excel, streamlining the process of analyzing simulation results.

How does EpXL handle updates and staying current with the latest EnergyPlus schema?

EpXL is designed to stay up-to-date with the latest version of EnergyPlus schema and facilitates the viewing of this schema from the EnergyPlus root directory. It also checks for updates from GitHub when the workbook is opened.