Is EnergyPlus a prereq to learn OpenStudio

asked 2016-05-26 16:30:22 -0600

Julio

171 ●1 ●7

updated 2018-07-18 11:30:28 -0600

__AmirRoth__

4436 ●5 ●17 http://bleedinggreenna...

I have been learning OS on my own using the youtube video tutorials but I would like to get up to speed by attending or buying a class online. I have been checking the bigladder and energy-models.com websites and I liked what I saw. I am trying to maximize my time and money but since I am a novice in BEM, I would like a recommendation as to whether I can learn OS if I take an E+ class first. Or if it is just a matter of putting more effort and just take or buy a class for OS only. Thank you kindly!

answered 2016-05-26 17:56:01 -0600

rpg777
6970 ●6 ●15 http://openstudio.net/

OpenStudio is really a bunch of tools to make BEM with EnergyPlus easier; OpenStudio provides GUI access to a building energy model whose primary end is an EnergyPlus model, simulation, and data. Therefore it follows that a solid understanding of EnergyPlus is pretty essential. Most of the OpenStudio model objects are based on EnergyPlus objects, and the full documentation of these things is contained in the engineering reference of the latter.

That said, I do know that the training and education references you cite in your question have a profound knowledge of BOTH EnergyPlus and OpenStudio, and how the one influences the other. I would say that if you come to any of these classes with a solid background in the building physics behind all of these simulation tools, you could get all you need from an intro to BEM through OpenStudio -- with the understanding that a deep dive into EnergyPlus is inevitable, even if self-directed.

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Thank you rpg777 for your thorough answer. This is very helpful and has definitely made my decision easier. I'll look forward to get into one of the classes. Cheers!