designbuilder or openstudio or ??

Hi,

On the web-page of openstudio (https://www.openstudio.net/new-future...), there is a graphic that shows that openstudio application and the sketchup plugin will no longer be maintained by DOE, and it will switch to 3rd parties, however no 3rd partie entity showed interest in it.

I'm willing to start learning energyplus + openstudio, but this switch announced for mars 2020 doesn't encourage me to learn openstudio.

I'm I getting this wrong? should I learn openstudio or put the effort into learning something more durable such as designbuilder? do you suggest any other software?

Thank you

karaktus

asked 2019-09-14 05:16:44 -0500

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Just to update the community on progress related to the 'repackaging' efforts of the OpenStudio Application:

A small group of active stakeholders has secured support from a nonprofit organization that focuses on market analysis and business plan generation/review. We are currently calling the initiative the 'OSC' - The OpenStudio Coalition. A "draft" of the current OSC mission and vision statements follow:

OSC Mission

Our mission is to provide easy access and a supporting infrastructure to scalable, open-source and transparent building energy simulation tools.

OSC Vision

Our vision is a decarbonized world energy ecosystem realized through a community taking action informed by an open source building energy modeling ecosystem.

Moving forward, many different business plans that include ongoing support for the "OpenStudio Application" are possible. Deciding which one(s) will be executed on will involve receiving input from members of this community, and several others.

To stay involved in announcements and communications related to this effort, please register at https://www.openstudiocoalition.org/

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ChrisBalbach

answered 2019-09-17 16:19:11 -0500

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I can't speak to the contract with DOE, though I'd encourage you to start using either one.

In my opinion the important thing is to use a software that uses EnergyPlus, so you can understand the functions within it. During modelling you'll have to refer to the engineering reference, and this will force you to learn about E+. You'll be able to adapt easily to either software once you have a handle on that, as they all use E+ functions.

OpenStudio is free, so might be the better option of the two for learning purposes. Have fun getting oriented.