ESP-r — The Complete Guide: Integrated Open-Source Building Performance Simulation
ESP-r is a research simulation environment developed over decades at the ESRU unit of the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. It goes beyond heating and cooling loads: it solves the energy balance, airflow between spaces, moisture, lighting and electrical power together, at a resolution the user sets. The code is open source under the GNU GPL and may be used for any purpose, including commercial work.
ESP-r
ESRU, University of Strathclyde
Integrated building performance simulation — heat, air, moisture, light and electrical power — as open source.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Integrated model — heat, air, moisture, light and power in the same simulation.
- Airflow network — natural ventilation and air movement between spaces.
- Systems and plant — models for HVAC, heating and renewable energy systems.
- Flexible time step — from a few minutes up to an hour, as needed.
- Full transparency — the code and model assumptions are open to inspection and change.
Who it suits
Researchers, graduate students and energy consultants who need to study cases that simpler tools do not handle, such as complex natural ventilation or integration of renewable systems. ESP-r is designed mainly for Linux (an Ubuntu installer is available), the interface is dated, and the learning curve is steep.
Related tools
For a friendlier interface on a current engine — OpenStudio with EnergyPlus. For quick early-stage comparison of options — eQUEST.
EnergyPlus
US Department of Energy
Annual building energy simulation — envelope, HVAC, thermal comfort and daylight. The US DOE engine.
Get it from the vendorOpenStudio
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Graphical workflow on top of EnergyPlus — geometry, systems and scenario comparison.
Get it from the vendoreQUEST
James J. Hirsch & Associates (DOE-2)
Year-round hourly building energy simulation, with wizards that take you from early design to comparing alternatives.
Get it from the vendor
Modelica Buildings Library
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
An open Modelica library of dynamic models for HVAC, controls, storage and district energy systems in buildings.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
ESP-r is a powerful, transparent tool for detailed building performance simulation. It takes effort to learn, but offers a depth that is hard to find in other free tools.