EnergyPlus Software Development and Technical Assistance

EnergyPlus is the Department of Energy’s (DOE) flagship whole-building energy simulation engine used by analysts, design professionals and consultants to assess multiple design alternatives as part of efforts to increase the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce negative environmental impacts, improve the economic performance of the building sector, and improve the level of comfort for the occupants of these buildings.

EnergyPlus was first released April 2001. Since then, it has been maintained, supported, and improved by a team of developers that issues major public releases every six months. EnergyPlus is a mature, open-source product, and as such, there is significant expertise outside of NREL in EnergyPlus software development.

Given the years it takes to become experienced in EnergyPlus software development, it would be more costly to develop this proficiency internally than to leverage the expertise of subcontractors already possessing these skills.