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jEPlus User's Manual
Version 1.5, © 2014 jeplus.org
[Part of the manual pages are still under construction]
Disclaimer
jEPlus v1.5 (the software) is provided by Dr Yi Zhang free of charge for commercial or non-commercial use. It is provided on the basis of “as is”. Any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall Dr Yi Zhang or his employer be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages, (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software.
The software is released under GPLv3 (see link). The use of the software is done at your own discretion and risk and with agreement of the foregoing disclaimer.
New Features
The new features of jEPlus introduced in Version 1.5 include:
- Parametric project
- @calc() syntax in parameter definition allows values to be calculated from a formula
- Adds support for INSEL
- Extended RVI (.rvx) file for customizing result collection
- Calls Python scripts for post-processing during result collection
- Calculate user-defined variables after result collection
- Combined results table generated by default
- GUI changes
- New text editor with syntax highlighting that works well with large model files
- Additional tools organized on the Utilities tabs
- Utilities
- Run Python script for further analysis
- IDF version converter shell for easily updating projects to later E+ versions (Windows only)
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction – This chapter describes how jEPlus works with diagrams, and explains some of the key concepts and terminologies used in this users guide. Also covered are the things you need to know about installing the software.
Chapter 2 The GUI – Illustrated description of the graphical user interface, including the menu structure, the project tab, the execution tab, the utilities tab, and the output/editor pane. User controls are annotated on the screenshots.
Chapter 3 jEPlus Project – This chapter explains the contents of a jEPlus project, such as the model template files, weather files, the RVI/RVX files (for result collection), and the parameter tree. The format of the new RVX file is detailed in this chapter.
Chapter 4 Parameter Definition – This chapter is all about the jEPlus parameter definitions, and the various syntax you can use to specify the parameter values to be used in a parametric project.
Chapter 5 Result Extraction – jEPlus v1.5 provides flexible and customisable ways of extracting results from simulations using the new RVX file. This chapter explains the syntax of the RVX file, and the use of ReadVarsEso, SQLite, and Python scripts in result collection.
Chapter 6 Run Simulations – The simulation execution options jEPlus provides are described in this chapter. You can test and run a jEPlus project in various ways, such as by random sampling. The control of computing resource is explained here, too.
Chapter 7 Utilities* – jEPlus includes a few useful tools to help you prepare your project and extract/post-process results. These utilities include an EnergyPlus version updater shell, a Python script tester/executor, and an E+ ReadVars executor.
Chapter 8 Interface with jEPlus – For advanced users, the command-line interface and the programming interface of jEPlus are explained in this chapter. Also covered are the use of the job list files, the parameter file and skeleton project.
Chapter 9 Examples – A few examples are described in this chapter, including the use of EP-Macro, and the different ways to parameterize window size.
Contact
I hope you enjoy using jEPlus. Should you have any inquiries or comments, or like to report issues and request new features, please visit the jeplus forum, or contact us at: jeplus.services@gmail.com
References
Please use the references below for citing jEPlus' works. More publications related to jEPlus can be found here.
Zhang, Y., Korolija, I (2010) “Performing complex parametric simulations with jEPlus”, SET2010 - 9th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, 24-27 August 2010, Shanghai, China pdf
Zhang, Y. (2009) “‘Parallel’ EnergyPlus and the development of a parametric analysis tool”, IBPSA BS2009, 27–30 July 2009, Glasgow, UK pdf