Standard vs. Expert
IDA ICE is available in two different editions - Standard and Expert edition. The Standard edition is targeted to the novice and intermediate users, while the Expert edition is targeted to the more advanced building simulation professional.
Below are the main differences between the Standard and Expert editions.
For more details – check out the comparison table!
Extension packages
IDA ICE can be extended with extension packages. The Standard edition includes no extension packages by default, while the Expert edition includes the following two extension packages:
Advanced level
With the Expert edition, you can edit the automatically created schematic display of a simulation model (including systems). Using a large library of available components, you can also build your own air handling units, plants and control systems.
Version handling system
The Expert edition includes a version handling system – a productivity tool allowing you to keep track of changes between model versions and also to automatically rerun all cases that depend on a change.
Parallelization
With the Expert edition, you can take advantage of the fact that almost all new computers are equipped with multiple processor cores and are able to run several processes in parallel:
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Advanced component models
The Expert edition includes additional component models, such as a climate zone model with air stratification based on flow elements (jets, plumes and wall currents), building-integrated PV-systems, finite-difference underground duct model with wall condensation, passage opening control model, and phase change materials.
Productivity features
The Expert edition includes additional features, not available in the Standard edition, such as a full scripting language, case comparison functions, model difference listings, model searching, the Outline view, editable GUI forms and more.
Development level
With the Expert edition, you get access to the IDA Simulation Environment. This allows you to write additional component models using the equation based Neutral Model Format. There is no need to be an expert in numerical methods; the equations are automatically solved for you.