## File Management and Errors Modeling Tools Viewing Model Data ## Running Simulations/Help Run EnergyPlus Simulation Connect to the EnergyPlus Example File Generator OpenStudio User Guide ## Rendering Options OpenStudio Menu Items ### Run EnergyPlus Simulation The Run Simulation command displays a dialog window that enables you to select run control options, select a weather file, configure run periods, and choose results to be reported. Click on the Run button to launch a simulation of the current EnergyPlus input file. The EnergyPlus engine will begin to run in a shell command window. You may continue to work in SketchUp while the simulation is running. If you decide not to run the simulation at this time, click on the Apply button to save your configuration. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Options for run control enable you to choose whether you want to run design day simulations, weather file simulations, or both. You can also select the start and end dates for the weather file run period. Changing these options will update the Run Period object in the simulated input file. Options for reporting results enable you to choose the data you want reported back from the simulation. The Report Annual Building Utility Performance Summary (ABUPS) option reports a file that provides a helpful summary of the building energy use over the run period and a breakdown of end uses. You can choose the format for this report (HTML, CSV, Tab, orFixed), and the units (SI or IP). The Report User Variables And Meters option preserves any Output:Variable and Output:Meter objects already in the input file. If this option is not checked, all Output:Variable and Output:Meter objects are stripped from the input file. The Report Zone Temperatures option adds Output:Variable objects for zone mean air temperature (MAT) and zone mean radiant temperature (MRT). The Report Inside and Outside Surface Temperatures option adds Output:Variable objects for all inside and outside surface temperatures. These might be useful for data visualization studies. There are also options for various actions that should be performed when the simulation is complete. The Close Shell Command Window option will automatically close the shell window (MS-DOS console). If this option is unchecked, you will have to manually close the window before you can automatically perform any other actions (e.g., show the error file). The Show Error File option opens the eplusout.err file in the preferred text editor. You should always check your ERR file after every EnergyPlus run. The Show Annual Building Utility Performance Summary (ABUPS) option opens the ABUPS file for viewing. The Show Report variables and meters file (CSV) option opens the report variable output in comma-delimited (CSV) format. If any you select Output:Variable options, the EnergyPlus output file is postprocessed into a CSV file whether or not you select the To Show option. Back to Top ### Connect to the EnergyPlus Example File Generator This launches the U.S. Department of Energy's Example File Generator. This is another method to add data to your IDF file. This launches as a Web window in SketchUp. After you complete the process, the sample file will be sent to you via e-mail. (See the screenshot of the Web site.) (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Back to Top ### OpenStudio User Guide This command opens the User Guide help pages (what you are reading right now) in your default web browser. Back to Top

U.S. Department of Energy