Function and Position of the Project Explorer
The Project explorer is used to manage a project. It provides a clear overview of the project structure. Alternatively, the key combination <Ctrl>+<T> can be used. A left click on a module or a component in the Project explorer opens the form for this element or the scheme.
The Project explorer window is located at the top left of the TOP-Energy user interface (see the following figure), but can be freely positioned on the available screen area via drag-and-drop.
Only one project file can be opened in the Project explorer at a time. To open several projects simultaneously, please start TOP-Energy several times.
The Project explorer gives you access to the individual elements of the project, for example to arrange, rename, and edit them.
The Project explorer contains the project tree, which shows the structure of the project with the registered modules, scheme nodes, and components. At the top is the 
Project node as the root node of a project.
Structure of the Project Tree
The project tree branches below the Project node.
The typical structure of a project, which contains all modules, looks like this in the Project explorer:
In the Project explorer it looks like this:
A left click on the plus symbol opens the lower level of the project tree.
Clicking on a minus sign in the project tree hides the subordinate levels.
Colored Status Indicator
The flag of a module or component symbol indicates with its color and symbolism the state of the module or component.
After a module has been successfully executed, the flag turns green, appears circular, and contains a check mark (e.g., 
).
Before the module is executed and after changes within the module node and its child elements (e.g., when individual component values are changed), the flag is yellow, triangular, and contains an exclamation mark (e.g., 
).
Large-scale red is the flag if errors occurred during the execution of the module (e.g., 
).
Adding New Nodes
To quickly add new nodes to the project tree, use the Add to project group in the Home ribbon (see the following figure).
The following nodes can be added to the project tree using the Add split button or the context menu in the Project explorer.
Simulation + scheme,
Simulator scheme,- Control scheme,
Variant,
Variant + simulation,
Variant comparison,
Parameter study.
Newly created module nodes are first arranged at the bottom of the project tree.
Drag-and-Drop
The nodes (Variant, Simulation, Scheme, Variant comparison, and Parameter study) can be moved manually by drag-and-drop to another position in the project tree.
By holding down the <Ctrl> key, the nodes are copied by drag-and-drop. An Variant, Variant comparison, or Parameter study node therefore has to be dragged to the Project node.
The components can be copied in the Project explorer by drag-and-drop under other Scheme nodes, if no local instance of the component is created under the target node yet. For details, see the Components article.
Context Menus
Right-click on the Project node to open a context menu (see the following figure).
Each module and component in the Project explorer has its own context menu, which can be opened by right-clicking on the icon or the name. The general functions of the context menus are introduced in the following sections. The element-specific functions are described below in the sections about the modules.
New creates child nodes, e.g., Simulation + Scheme below a Variant node.
Duplicate copies and pastes the element on the same layer. The name gets the addition (1) or a higher number.
Rename the selected element.
Generate report. Read the article Generating Reports.
The following two ETA functions can be called from Variant, Simulation, and Scheme nodes.
Open energy balance time series in ETA shows the preconfigured time series view in ETA.
Open input time series in ETA shows the input time series in ETA.
The Order of the nodes in the project tree can be changed with these two functions:
one up (move one position up) and
one down (move one position down).
… Update module/component to new version. This function is only active for the modules and components if an update is possible. For the project, the function is Update project.
Delete removes the selected element.
Elements of the Project Tree
The elements of the project tree listed above under Structure of the Project Tree are presented in more detail in the following sections.
Project Node
A left click on the 
Project node opens the forms of the project information: General, Location, Weather data, and Economic base data.
Component Library
Directly under the Project node in the project tree is the 
Component Library. It contains all components that are used in the project.
For more information, see the linked article.
Time Series Container
In the Time Series Container you can optionally store any time series that are relevant for the project.
Variant Node
A 
Variant node is used to evaluate and summarize the economic, ecological, and energetic results of the simulations. In addition to the preconfigured time series view (see above), it offers the following additional option in the context menu:
Adopt simulation data refers to the data from the simulation of the subordinate Simulation node. Current simulation data are the prerequisite for performing the variant analysis. When the Variant analysis module is executed the simulation is also offered in case simulation data are not up-to-date.
Simulation Node
With the 
Simulation node, you can Start simulation.
Scheme Node
Via the 
Scheme node, you can call up the Scheme and Start simulation.
Components
The components represent individual elements of the energy system: demands and tariffs, individual technical system components, such as a CHP plant, a boiler, compressed air compressors, as well as material models and conditions.
Variant Comparison Node
With the 
Variant comparison node, you can Evaluate variants.
Variant Comparison Node
With the Parameter study node, you can Start parameter study.
