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03
Jun 14
Introducing gModeller 1.9.5
04
Feb 14
Cloud Collaboration Through gWorkspace
gWorkspace is a cloud-based storage system we developed here at greenspaceLive. It allows multi-disciplined users to work collaboratively on building projects. We see gWorkspace as the central hub for a project, with users sharing images, floor plans, survey reports, simulation analysis and more.
We recently partnered with Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) as part of a study looking at energy efficient housing and the reduction of fuel poverty in the Western Isles. gWorkspace was the perfect tool for this, it held all the project data and provided a shared area for the participants to upload files and ensure that all parties were made aware of additions as the project progressed. Storing this data on the cloud means it can be accessed at any time, from anywhere in the world. Once the study is completed it allows for future analysis to be undertaken by HHP on different house types as technologies improve and become more cost effective.
gWorkspace comes integrated with all of our products, your workspace can be viewed from your desktop, tablet or smartphone and it even allows you to share through social media applications like Facebook and LinkedIn. We want to connect all participants of a project and make the whole process that little bit easier. Sign up for a free 30-day trial today and see for yourself!
“[Cloud computing is] the best thing for small business since the creation of the stapler. Cloud computing is a playing field leveler; it gives small businesses access to technologies that previously were out of their reach and lets small businesses compete with both other small businesses and larger ones.
And to make the deal even sweeter, cloud computing can save your small business money, too.”
– Susan Ward, “Why Cloud Computing Is Ideal for Small Businesses”
13
Jan 14
The European Project
In April 2012, we were confirmed as the UK’s official consortium in The Affirmative Integrated Energy Design Action (AIDA) project. AIDA is a project funded by Intelligent Energy Europe with a view to supporting building professionals and local authorities in the designing and implementation of nZEB’s (nearly Zero Energy Buildings). Through a series of study tours, sustainable policies and web-based BIM (Building Information Modelling) software; the AIDA project aims to increase the number of nZEB buildings throughout Europe, the number of building professionals trained on integrated energy design and the number of municipalities starting to build/refurbish buildings to nZEB levels.
We have already completed one study tour of a primary school in Wolverhampton, which was the UK’s first Passivhaus certified primary school. The tour proved to be a success and the full document can be read here (OakMeadow_successStory_2012_02_15). In addition, our gEnergy tool is now ready to be presented in workshops during the study tours. gEnergy is being offered for use to project partners and participating municipalities, architects and engineers. It will be used to identify where improvements are needed in existing buildings and to demonstrate that proposed new designs meet nZEB requirements.
On the 22nd of January we will be presenting our second study tour, a local island building; The Galson Trust Business Centre:
This will feature a design presentation and tour of the building, followed by a Q&A and a demonstration of our Energy Design Tools. Finally we will be stopping at the Galson Wind Turbine where our AIDA Project Manager will be giving a brief technical lecture. If you would like to be present at the study tour please follow the link and register:
http://www.aidaproject.eu/study_tours_en.php
AIDA’s core objective is the eventual widespread adoption of nZEB throughout Europe and to help the EU’s 2020 objectives for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. We at GreenspaceLive are excited to be part of this collaboration project, and we hope it’s the beginning of a sustainable future.
AIDA CONSORTIUM
Vienna University of Technology – Energy Economics Group
AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies
CIMNE BEEGROUP, – Building Energy and Environment
Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving – Energy Policy Analysis Department
EURAC research – Institute for Renewable Energy
Geonardo Environmental Technologies Ltd.
HESPUL – énergies renouvelables & efficacité énergétique
27
Nov 13
Introducing the gEnergyWiki and Public Projects!
We’ve just activated our gEnergy wiki – 450 EnergyPlus sample projects linked to gEnergy Public Projects. Click here to visit it!
Each wiki page links to a corresponding gEnergy Public Project which can be used to inspect and query the EnergyPlus model. Eg:
http://greenspacelive.com/
We’re looking to add more and get world-class Revit/gbXML/SketchUp/
30
Sep 13
Quick Start Guide: gEnergy
Quick Start Guide: gEnergy
Hello and welcome to the gEnergy Quick Start guide. This guide assumes you already have existing EnergyPlus knowledge and is designed to get you familiar with the basics of gEnergy to allow you to start simulating your own buildings and projects as soon as possible.
Visit gEnergy and log in using your greenspaceLive account details
Create a new project – call this “Quick Start” or “Getting Started”
Click “Import IDF” from the options at the top of the gEnergy screen. Select ‘Bessemer Grange School’ from the dropdown menu. You can also choose your own IDF files to upload to gEnergy from here. Don’t worry about file versions, gEnergy will automatically make your IDF compatible with the latest version of EnergyPlus that is required. Once you’ve chosen your file, click Upload File.
At this point, you can make any changes you wish to make to the model, if desired. To do this, click a ‘Group’ on the left, this will open the group’s objects in the Object window. To edit an Object’s properties, simply left click the object in the Object list and edit it in the EnergyPlus Object Form located at the bottom right.
However, for this quick demonstration, you want to just click “Run Simulation”. The message console will appear and start running the gEnergy simulation. You can view your simulations progress in this window.
When this is completed, click on Reporting: Charts.
Here are some default charts displayed. You can add your own charts from the results by pressing “Add Chart” and then selecting your parameters from the list and moving them to the right. You can export any of your charts as a CSV file for Microsoft Excel by pressing “Download CSV”. You can also view your data as an HTML web file, detailing information from your simulation. You can view this by pressing “Reporting: HTML”
Congratulations!
You now know the basics of gEnergy, why not add your own IDF and try it for yourself?
For more information visit www.greenspacelive.com or email info@greenspacelive.com
24
Sep 13
gEnergy Feature Spotlight: Extensive object libraries
gEnergy features an extensive and extensible library of pre-populated building objects. Select and drop library objects into a model to begin using them.
Using library files allows you to quickly populate models with pre-built information. This can be standards based, or come from component manufacturers.
Library items can also be used as templates and modified according to project requirements, as a productivity gain.
Adding from libraries is easy in gEnergy!
You can learn more about gEnergy’s features here.
Or why not start a free trial here and experience the power of gEnergy today.
19
Sep 13
gEnergy Feature Spotlight: Collaborate at project and object levels
The 21st century office is changing. Already you might have people working from home, from another office or even from another country! But a 21st century office needs a 21st century solution; Online collaboration.
gEnergy supports collaboration and remote working by allowing users to share projects with others, and comment at project and object levels.
This means that users can discuss the project at a higher level, for example to discuss requirements, work left to do, project management, etc., and at the same time discuss specific objects in detail. This opens up many possibilities for collaboration.
For example, if there is a question regarding an HVAC component, users can discuss the object at its own level, without cluttering overall project discussions. Similarly, a project manager can review the object model, comment on objects of concern, and collaborate with the modelling team to ensure the quality of the model is as high as possible.
Comment and leave messages for your team in a pinch
You can learn more about gEnergy’s features here.
Or why not start a free trial here and experience the power of gEnergy today.
17
Sep 13
gEnergy Feature Spotlight: Edit multiple objects at once
EnergyPlus models can be large and complex, composed of many different objects. gEnergy is no exception!
However, we’ve found over time that many objects share common attributes. For example, many surfaces may share the same constructions. Going through each of these surfaces to add the same attributes is a tedious task, in some cases, watching paint dry may end up be more entertaining!
gEnergy allows you to select and edit multiple objects at the same time, so that setting the properties of groups of objects becomes as simple as pressing the ctrl, or shift key, selecting the objects in question and changing the appropriate parameters. A massive productivity boost!
Editing Multiple objects with gEnergy is simple
You can learn more about gEnergy’s features here.
Or why not start a free trial here and experience the power of gEnergy today.
12
Sep 13
gEnergy Feature Spotlight: Customised Reporting
With most energy simulation, you’ll produce a large amount of simulation data, but what does it mean?
Without seeing your data in a meaningful way, does it actually mean anything?
With gEnergy, data can be charted and viewed the way that you want to using gEnergy’s customisable dashboard based charting.
gEnergy’s dashboard based reporting allows the adding and removing of custom charts, edit existing charts, select hourly, monthly, and annual result parameters. Mix and match reports to meet your needs.
All simulation results can be exported and downloaded from gEnergy for further analysis in downstream tools, e.g.Microsoft Excel as well as presented from gEnergy’s web interface, which is accessible anywhere.
gEnergy’s customizable reporting interface is clean and easy to use.
You can learn more about gEnergy’s features here.
Or why not start a free trial here and experience the power of gEnergy today.
20
Aug 13
[Beta] gEnergy 1.0 PT Updates – August 19th
Our gEnergy testing is well underway, and we’re happy to see people using it extensively!
We’ve added some new features and improved some existing ones since our beta launch, see below for details!
[Beta] gEnergy 1.0 PT Updates – August 19th
- Multi Select and Editing of Objects – the ability to edit multiple objects at the same time. This is a big productivity booster for larger models with lots of similar objects (e.g., walls, etc).
- WebGL 3D view of building geometry – very fast in modern browsers. Also, downscales to normal non-WebGL 3D view for older or mobile browsers.
- Highlights areas of the 3D model being edited, e.g., Zones, Surfaces, etc.
- Upload custom weather files
- Graphical Node graph view for editing systems, and identifying connections
- Dashboard based charting – add as many as you want, to make up custom reports
- Editable charts – choose what outputs are displayed on each individual chart.
- Drag and Drop schedule editor – edit schedules using a popup calendar where you can drag and drop days and values. Also chart based editing.
- Energy Plus console – view energy plus output as its running, useful for debugging.
- Export EnergyPlus raw output for downstream analysis.
- Ability to edit every single object in EnergyPlus – not just restricted to buildings.
Is gEnergy missing a feature you want to see? Let us know!