OpenStudio v1.4.1

Fixing Doxygen warnings

OpenStudio v1.4.0

These release notes describe version 1.4.0 of the OpenStudio software suite developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Buildings and Thermal Systems, Commercial Buildings Research Group, Tools Development Section, and associated collaborators. The notes are organized into the following sections:

• Where to Find OpenStudio Documentation
• Installation Notes
• Overview
• New Features
• Known Issues

Where to Find OpenStudio Documentation

• OpenStudio release documentation, including these release notes, tutorials, and other user documentation, is available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/documentation.
• C++ API documentation is available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/sdk-documentation.
• Measure development documentation is available at https://github.com/NREL/OpenStudio/wiki/Measure-Writing-Guide.
• OpenStudio Life Cycle Costing Examples are available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/openstudio-life-cycle-examples.

Installation Notes

OpenStudio is supported on Windows 7 – 8.1, OS X 10.8 – 10.9, and Ubuntu 12.04.
OpenStudio 1.4.0 supports EnergyPlus Release 8.1.

Installation Steps

• Download and install EnergyPlus 8.1.
  • Download EnergyPlus 8.1. Create an account and login if you don't already have one.
  • OpenStudio will work with 32 or 64bit EnergyPlus installers.
• The OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in requires Sketchup 8.0 or SketchUp 2013 (not available for Linux). SketchUp 2014 is not supported.
• Create an OpenStudio account, then download and install OpenStudio.
• Setup a Building Component Library (BCL) account to access online building components and measures. View instructions on how to setup your account and configure the key in OpenStudio.

Optional Installation Steps

• For Radiance integration, download and install Radiance.
• If you plan to use the OpenStudio SDK Ruby bindings via command prompt on Windows, download and extract ruby.zip to C:\Ruby (or other desired location), and add C:\Ruby\bin to the PATH environment variable.

Overview

This OpenStudio 1.4.0 release is the first major release compatible with EnergyPlus 8.1. OpenStudio 1.4.0 is also the last release to be built on Ruby 1.8. Therefore, this is the last release for which the OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in will be compatible with SketchUp 8 and SketchUp 2013. The OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in will only be compatible with SketchUp 2014 and above in future releases of OpenStudio. The most significant new feature in OpenStudio 1.4.0 is the ability to apply measures directly to the current model in the OpenStudio Application. This exciting new feature enables new workflows based around OpenStudio measures and gives immediate feedback on the application of measures.

Other notable improvements:

• ASHRAE 90.1 2007 and 2010 internal loads and constructions have been added to the OpenStudio templates.
• PAT now exports a spreadsheet format compatible with the OpenStudio-analysis-spreadsheet project for running large parametric analyses using cloud resources.
• Improvements to the CONTAM translator and to EPW File parsing were contributed by partners at the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation.
• New ZoneControlHumidistat and AirLoopHVACUnitarySystem objects as well as multiple performance improvements were contributed by partners at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
• Radiance support has been improved to search for NREL Radiance packages, (https://github.com/NREL/Radiance/releases), and to prefer those over any other Radiance installation.
• New experimental Java bindings are available on request.
• Multiple performance improvements and bug fixes.

New Features

OpenStudio Platform 1.4.0

• New ZoneControlHumidistat and AirLoopHVACUnitarySystem model objects – Contributed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. See the OpenStudio Contributors page.
• Improvements to the CONTAM translator and to EPW File parsing were contributed by partners at the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation. See the OpenStudio Contributors page.
• Other HVAC objects added from the OpenStudio HVAC roadmap.
• Improved general performance, stability, and usability.

OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in 1.4.0

• ASHRAE 90.1 2007 and 2010 internal loads and constructions have been added to the OpenStudio templates.

OpenStudio Application 1.4.0

• New feature allows users to apply measures directly to the current model.
• ASHRAE 90.1 2007 and 2010 internal loads and constructions have been added to the OpenStudio templates.
• Improved general performance, stability, and usability.

OpenStudio ParametricAnalysisTool 1.4.0

• PAT now exports a spreadsheet format compatible with the OpenStudio-analysis-spreadsheet project for running large parametric analyses using cloud resources.
• Improved general performance, stability, and usability.

OpenStudio RunManager 1.4.0

• No changes.

OpenStudio ResultsViewer 1.4.0

• No changes.

OpenStudio Ruby Bindings 1.4.0

• Performance improvements.

OpenStudio C# Bindings 1.4.0

• New methods for casting between OpenStudio model object types.
• Performance improvements.

OpenStudio Python Bindings 1.4.0

• Performance improvements.
• Python bindings are not packaged with OpenStudio. To use them see our developer page for guidance on building OpenStudio.

OpenStudio JavaScript V8 Bindings 1.4.0

• No changes.
• JavaScript bindings are not packaged with OpenStudio. To use them see our developer page for guidance on building OpenStudio.

OpenStudio Java Bindings 1.4.0

• New experimental Java bindings are available on request.
• Java bindings are not packaged with OpenStudio. To use them see our developer page for guidance on building OpenStudio.

Known Issues

The following are issues known at the time of publication of these release notes. Please contact [email protected] if you require further assistance.

Known Issues Common to All Platforms

OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in

• If you use copy multiple on group-level OpenStudio objects, you will get one extra copy. The extra group is created by the first copy-and-paste operation and is not removed when the copy multiple occurs. To address this, after you perform a copy multiple procedure on groups or spaces, press delete. The objects you need to delete should already be selected. If you are copying loose surfaces such as windows, there are no problems, as SketchUp will merge equivalent surfaces. [issue #28]
• Using SketchUp's undo operation on OpenStudio model elements may produce unexpected results. [issues #54 and #150]
• SKP and OSM link is not maintained when files are relocated. However, you can manually re-establish that link. When opening a SketchUp file, launch SketchUp and then open the SketchUp file. If that doesn't work you can also directly load the OSM file, bypassing the SKP file. [issue #409]
• It is possible for the OpenStudio plug-in to conflict with other SketchUp plug-ins. If you suspect this is a problem, try testing with other plug-ins disabled, or contact [email protected] for assistance. [issue #26]
• Using "Intersect" in the surface matching dialog can result in a crash or unexpected results. This is more common with models that were imported from other CAD formats at some point in the workflow. It is a good idea to save prior to using this to avoid any loss of data. This is related to an underlying SketchUp bug. [issue #168]
• "Project Loose Geometry" can crash SketchUp. It is a good idea to save prior to using this to avoid any loss of data. [issue #484]
• Adjacent stacked spaces in same zones may result in incorrect area and likely loads as well. [issue #561]
• SaveAs in SketchUp corrupts measures in model. To avoid this, only add measures into model after work in SketchUp is done. [issue #754]
• Using AutoSave in SketchUp can overwrite changes made in OS app if the file is open in both locations. [issue #899]

If your OpenStudio model crashes SketchUp or has unexpected behavior please forward it to [email protected] with a description of the problem. Please also include the directory that has the same name as the OSM file. You can attach it as a zip file.

OpenStudio Application

• Similar thermostats assigned in the SketchUp Plug-in are shared across thermal zones in the OpenStudio application. Changing or turning off one will do the same to others. [issue #123]
• The view does not always refresh correctly when you delete a material from a construction. If you still see a material after clicking the "x", switch away from and back to the object to refresh the view. [issue #196]
• Some pull-down lists in simulation settings don't work. [issue #496]
• OS App Schedule Editor allows entering values outside of type limits. [issue #531]
• All drop zones under Water Use Equipment Definitions doesn't enforce schedule types. [issue #532]
• Removing CoilHeatingWater objects can result in orphaned hot water coils. [issue #594]
• Some HVAC components in OpenStudio are missing from the HVAC Library (e.g. Fan:OnOff). [issue #599]
• Several objects in OpenStudio appear to accept erroneous input values, but seems like it i...

OpenStudio v1.3.5

Fix error in hvac_library.osm

This fixes a bug in hvac_library.osm where Refrigeration:WalkIn
requires a version translation in 1.3.5 and the object in the library
was not updated to the new version.

OpenStudio v1.3.4

Updated calibration measure for core

Alex, can you pull this into iteration installer. I'll file a bug about
bad XML here and in measure repo, but doesn't seem to affect
functionality in app with installed measure.

OpenStudio v1.3.3

Fixing error with loading the ruby bindings normally

OpenStudio v1.3.2

Merge branch '60125550-EP81-2' into develop

OpenStudio v1.3.1

Fixing string comparison

OpenStudio v1.3.0

These release notes describe version 1.3.0 of the OpenStudio software suite developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Buildings and Thermal Systems, Commercial Buildings Research Group, Tools Development Section, and associated collaborators. The notes are organized into the following sections:

• Where to Find OpenStudio Documentation
• Installation Notes
• Overview
• New Features
• Known Issues

Where to Find OpenStudio Documentation

• OpenStudio release documentation, including these release notes, tutorials, and other user documentation, is available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/documentation.
• C++ API documentation is available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/sdk-documentation.
• Measure writing documentation is available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/openstudio-measure-writing-guide
• OpenStudio Life Cycle Costing Examples are available at http://openstudio.nrel.gov/openstudio-life-cycle-examples

Installation Notes

OpenStudio is supported on Windows XP – 8.1, OS X 10.8 – 10.9, and Ubuntu 12.04.
OpenStudio Version 1.3.0 supports EnergyPlus Release 8.0.

Installation Steps

• Download and install EnergyPlus 8.0.
  • Download EnergyPlus 8.0. Create an account and login if you don’t already have one.
  • OpenStudio will work with 32 or 64bit EnergyPlus installers.
• The OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in requires Sketchup 8.0 or SketchUp 2013 (not available for Linux). SketchUp 2014 is supported for Windows, but not yet for Mac.
• Create an OpenStudio account, then download and install OpenStudio.
• Setup a Building Component Library (BCL) account to access online building components and measures. View instructions on how to setup your account and configure the key in OpenStudio.

Optional Installation Steps

• For Radiance integration, download and install Radiance.
• If you plan to use the OpenStudio SDK Ruby bindings via command prompt on Windows, download and extract ruby.zip to C:\Ruby (or other desired location), and add C:\Ruby\bin to the PATH environment variable.

Overview

Development for OpenStudio 1.3.0 has two main focuses.

• Development continuation of the refrigeration interface and addition of new refrigeration model objects. This resulted in a new detailed component grid-view of refrigeration systems. The development was carried out with requirements gathering and guidance from practitioners. The new refrigeration objects include contributions from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
• Enhancements of model objects and methods in support of a collection of Energy Conservation Measures. ECMs were developed to model the recommendations from both the ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 Schools, and the ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to Medium Offices. The ECMs are posted to the Building Component Library (BCL) in conjunction with this OpenStudio release. In addition, ECM supporting material is included with the OpenStudio installer. This includes:
  • A new multi-space type office template.
  • New objects to map constructions and space types to their intended uses.
  • New fenestration methods to describe view and daylight fenestration and skylights.

New Features

OpenStudio Platform 1.3.0

• Improved Standards Data Dictionary (SDD) translation for the California Energy Commission’s CBECC tool.
• Added model objects needed for refrigeration systems – Contributed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  See the OpenStudio’s Contributors page.
• Added HVAC objects from the OpenStudio’s HVAC roadmap.
• Added climate zone tags to the model. This is in support of measures that need to know what climate zone the model is in.
• Added tags to constructions to indicate both the intended surface type and the standards construction type. This is in support of measures that need to know if a construction represents a steel framed or mass wall.
• Added tags to space types to indicate what building type it is intended for, and what specific space type to map it to. This is in support of measure that will apply to only certain types of spaces.
• Added tags to the building object to indicate what building type this model represents. This is also in support of measures that have different behaviors depending upon the building type.
• Created a new multi-space type Office Template to replace the whole building small, medium and large office templates. This allows measures to be applied to specific space types within and office building. It also gives the modeler more control over the ratio of various space types in their model.
• Added new methods to create and apply skylight grids to roofs.
• Added new methods to apply view and daylight glazing in conjunction with exterior shading and interior light shelves.

OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in 1.3.0

• Updated templates to use the new tags added for constructions and space types. Also, updated infiltration to be on a per exterior wall area vs. air changes per hour.
• Continued to develop experimental user script to import OpenStudio spaces as standard SketchUp groups and to merge SketchUp groups back to OSM files.

OpenStudio Application 1.3.0

• Added customizable pull down menus for standards related tags for climate zones, constructions, space types, and building types. These menus show up in the site, constructions, space types, and facility tabs.
• Updated refrigeration systems in the GUI to support walkin cases.
• Added a detailed component based interface for refrigeration systems interface including cascading systems. A grid style interface has also been added to view multiple refrigerated cases and walkins all in a single view.
• Added support for Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems.
• Added support for zone exhaust fans.
• Added support for supply and return plenums.

OpenStudio ParametricAnalysisTool 1.3.0

• Improved general performance, stability, and usability.

OpenStudio RunManager 1.3.0

• No changes.

OpenStudio ResultsViewer 1.3.0

• No changes.

OpenStudio Ruby Bindings 1.3.0

• No changes.

OpenStudio C# Bindings 1.3.0

• No changes.

OpenStudio Python Bindings 1.3.0

• No changes.
• Python bindings are not packaged with OpenStudio. To use them see our developer page for guidance on building OpenStudio.

OpenStudio JavaScript V8 Bindings 1.3.0

• No changes.
• JavaScript bindings are not packaged with OpenStudio. To use them see our developer page for guidance on building OpenStudio.

Known Issues

The following are issues known at the time of publication of these release notes. Please contact [email protected] if you require further assistance.

Known Issues Common to All Platforms

OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-in

• If you use copy multiple on group-level OpenStudio objects, you will get one extra copy. The extra group is created by the first copy-and-paste operation and is not removed when the copy multiple occurs. To address this, after you perform a copy multiple procedure on groups or spaces, press delete. The objects you need to delete should already be selected. If you are copying loose surfaces such as windows, there are no problems, as SketchUp will merge equivalent surfaces. [issue #28]
• Using SketchUp's undo operation on OpenStudio model elements may produce unexpected results. [issues #54 and #150]
• SKP and OSM link is not maintained when files are relocated. You can manually re-establish that link. When opening a SketchUp file Launch SketchUp and then Open the SketchUp file. If that doesn't work you can also directly load the OSM file, bypassing the SKP file. [issue #409]
• It is possible for the OpenStudio Plug-in to conflict with other SketchUp plug-ins. If you suspect this is a problem, try testing with other plug-ins disabled, or contact [email protected] for assistance. [issue #26]
• Using "Intersect" in the surface matching dialog can result in a crash or unexpected result. This is more common with models that were imported from other CAD formats at some point in the workflow. It is a good idea to save prior to using this to avoid any loss of data. This is related to an underlying SketchUp bug. [issue #168]
• "Project Loose Geometry" can crash SketchUp. It is a good idea to save prior to using this to avoid any loss of data. [issue #484]
• Adjacent stacked spaces in same zones may result in incorrect area and likely loads as well. [issue #561]
• SaveAs in SketchUp corrupts measures in model. To avoid this, only add measures into model after work in SketchUp is done. [issue #754]
• Using AutoSave in SketchUp can overwrite changes made in OS app if the file is open in both locations. [issue #899]

If your OpenStudio model crashes SketchUp or has unexpected behavior please forward it to [email protected] with a description of the problem. Please also include the directory that has the same name as the OSM file. You can attach it as a zip file.

OpenStudio Application

• Similar thermostats assigned in the SketchUp Plug-in are shared across thermal zones in the OpenStudio application. Changing or turning off one will do the same to others. [issue #123]
• The view does not always refresh correctly when you delete a material from a construction. If you still see a material after clicking the “x”, switch away from and back to the...

OpenStudio v1.2.5

Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/66804960_SkylightsBugs' into dev…

OpenStudio v1.2.4

Merge branch 'develop' of https://github.com/NREL/OpenStudio into dev…