Energy Management System (EMS)

EnergyPlus provides an encyclopaedic range of modelling capabilities, but every project is different and some may require special simulation functionality not provided in the standard engine. EMS provides custom simulation runtime control to override selected aspects of standard EnergyPlus behaviour. A simple programming language called EnergyPlus Runtime Language (Erl) is used to control custom behaviour. EnergyPlus interprets and executes the Erl program as the model is being run, thus the EMS provides a powerful way to extend the capability of EnergyPlus without the need to become an expert in programming its source code.

 

DesignBuilder also provides an additional set of Erl language extensions that allow scripts to be written to include logic and model data for selected zones, surfaces and windows. These extensions allow "portable" scripts to be written that apply to multiple models and so can be reused in future projects and shared with colleagues.

Tip: The help on DesignBuilder EMS is intended to be read together with the main EnergyPlus EMS application guide which provides most of the information required to understand how to use EMS with detailed descriptions and examples.