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Energy Design Plugin

Version 0.9.4 Beta
Updated 4/23/2008

The Energy Design Plugin is a free plugin for the Google SketchUp 3D drawing program. The plugin makes it easy to create and edit the building geometry in your EnergyPlus input files. The plugin also allows you to launch EnergyPlus simulations and view the results without leaving SketchUp.

About the Plugin

Screenshot from EnergyPlus with the Energy Design Plugin. In the center of the screen is a large graphical display of the building being designed in EnergyPlus. The 3-story building is designed like an H, and color-coded.

A screenshot of an EnergyPlus input file being edited with the plugin.

The Energy Design Plugin was created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Designed to integrate seamlessly with the SketchUp environment, the plugin allows you to use the standard SketchUp tools to create and edit EnergyPlus zones and surfaces. You can explore your EnergyPlus input files by using all of the native SketchUp 3D capabilities to view the geometry from any vantage point, apply different rendering styles, and perform accurate shadowing studies. The plugin allows you to mix EnergyPlus simulation content with decorative content such as background images, landscaping, people, and architectural finish details—all within the same SketchUp model.

The plugin adds the building energy simulation capabilities of EnergyPlus to the SketchUp environment. You can launch an EnergyPlus simulation of the model you are working on and view the results without leaving SketchUp.

Highlights of the beta version of the Energy Design Plugin include:

The ability to create and edit EnergyPlus zones and surfaces
The ability to launch EnergyPlus and view the results without leaving SketchUp

This plugin makes it easier to work with EnergyPlus. However, expertise in using EnergyPlus at the text level is highly recommended for performing successful and accurate simulations. The beta version of the plugin does not yet handle all critical input objects. Some editing of the input file will usually be required outside of SketchUp. You can use a text editor, a third-party interface/tool, or other program (for example, the IDF Editor) to edit EnergyPlus input files.

Software Requirements

Google SketchUp 6 for Windows 2000/XP/Vista
EnergyPlus Version 2.2.0

A version for Mac OS X is not currently available, but is under development.

This plugin is compatible with both the Free and the Pro versions of Google SketchUp 6. It is not compatible with SketchUp 5. EnergyPlus must be installed on your computer for full access to all of the plugin functionality. However, EnergyPlus can be installed after the plugin.

Register for the Plugin

In order to download your copy of the Energy Design Plugin, you must fill out the registration form. After your registration is complete, you will be able to download the installation file on the last page. An e-mail containing your installation password will be sent to you within 24 hours.

Support

Technical support is available by e-mailing energy_design_plugin@nrel.gov.

The plugin is still in beta development. We welcome your bug reports and feature suggestions so we can improve future releases.

Printable Version

EnergyPlus Copyright© 1996-2008 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and The Regents of the University of California through the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
All rights reserved.
EnergyPlus is a trademark of the United States Department of Energy.

Energy Design Plugin Copyright© 2008 Midwest Research Institute/National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
All rights reserved.

Google SketchUp is third-party software available from Google Inc. Neither the National Renewable Energy Laboratory nor the United States Department of Energy endorse SketchUp or any other products of Google.