EP3 Solutions

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Overview

Atlas is EP3’s AI-powered assistant designed to help you work more efficiently with EP3 models. Atlas can answer questions about your model, analyze simulation results, generate data visualizations, and suggest modifications—all through natural conversation.

Note: Atlas is currently in Beta and is provided without warranty. Features and functionality may change as we continue to develop and improve the assistant.

Getting Started

API Key Requirement

To use Atlas, you’ll need your own Anthropic API key:

  1. Visit the Anthropic Console
  2. Sign up or log in to your account
  3. Navigate to API Keys section
  4. Generate a new API key
  5. Enter your API key in EP3’s settings

For detailed instructions, see Anthropic’s API Key documentation.

How to Use Atlas

Accessing Atlas

  1. Select any object in your EnergyPlus model
  2. Look for the small round AI badge at the top of the Selected Object or Schedules, Loads, etc dialog
  3. Click the badge to open the Atlas chat window
  4. Start asking questions about the selected object(s)

Context-Aware Assistance

Atlas understands what you’re working on:

  • Current Object Context: Atlas knows which object you have selected and can provide specific guidance about that object’s properties, settings, and relationships
  • Model Querying: When Atlas doesn’t have enough information to answer your question, it query your model for additional information to provide more comprehensive answers. Atlas will query objects in the current EEM, and data from results files when available.
  • Results Analysis: When simulation results are available, Atlas can analyze and explain the results related to your selected object
  • Simulation Error Resolution: If you have simulation errors, Atlas can help you resolve them

What Atlas Can Do

  • Answer Questions: Ask about object properties, field definitions, valid inputs, and EnergyPlus modeling concepts
  • Explain Results: Get help understanding simulation outputs for the current object
  • Generate Visualizations: Create charts and graphs to visualize your simulation data and results
  • Suggest Changes: Receive recommendations for improving or modifying your model
  • Provide Context: Learn how the selected object relates to other parts of your model

Data Visualization

Atlas can create custom graphs and charts to help you understand your model’s performance:

  • Request visualizations of time-series data (temperature, energy consumption, etc.)
  • Compare multiple variables on a single chart
  • Visualize trends and patterns in your simulation results
  • Generate charts specific to the selected object’s outputs

Example requests:

  • “Show me graphs showing the performance curves for this object”
  • “Create a chart comparing heating and cooling energy use”

Current Limitations

Scope Constraints

  • EEM Context: Atlas only has context for the current Energy Efficiency Measure (EEM) you’re working in—it doesn’t understand other EEMs in your project
  • Request Size: Keep your requests focused and concise. Large requests or queries about very large models may encounter context window or data limitations.

Best Practices

  • Break complex questions into smaller, specific queries
  • Use Atlas to set up templates in small models – it may struggle with large models
  • Focus on one object or concept at a time
  • If you need information about multiple objects, ask about them separately
  • For visualizations, specify the time period and variables you want to see

Data Protection & Safety

Your Responsibility

⚠️ Important: EP3 is not responsible for protecting data sent to the AI assistant.

  • Review Anthropic’s data handling policies to understand how your data is processed and stored. These terms and settings are available in your Anthropic account
  • We do not recommend using Atlas on models containing sensitive, proprietary, or confidential data
  • All conversations with Atlas are processed through Anthropic’s API using your API key

Model Modification Safeguards

Atlas is designed with multiple layers of protection:

  • No Automatic Changes: Atlas can suggest modifications but cannot make changes to your model without your explicit approval
  • Review Required: Always carefully review any suggested changes before accepting them
  • EEM Isolation: Changes made within an EEM are limited to that EEM only—your global model remains protected
  • User Control: You maintain complete control over what changes are implemented
  • Keep pre-AI modified Backup files: We recommend maintaining a robust file-versioning system and maintaining pre-AI modified backup files.
  • Make small changes, and test continuously: When using the AI, make one change at a time, and then simulate to verify model integrity and operation.

Recommended Workflow

  1. Ask Atlas for analysis or suggestions
  2. Review Atlas’s recommendations carefully
  3. Evaluate whether the suggestions make sense for your specific use case
  4. Accept only the changes you’ve verified and understand
  5. Test your model after implementing changes

Tips for Effective Use

  • Be Specific: “What is the cooling setpoint for this thermostat?” works better than “Tell me about this object”
  • Use Context: Atlas knows what object you have selected, so you can refer to “this zone” or “this surface”
  • Iterate: Start with a general question, then ask follow-up questions to dive deeper
  • Request Visuals: Ask for graphs when you need to understand trends or compare data
  • Verify: Always verify AI suggestions against EnergyPlus documentation and your engineering judgment

Feedback & Support

Atlas is continuously improving. If you encounter issues or have suggestions, please contact by email or by using the Contact form.