Toolset: IESVE 2021 (Vista Pro module)
It is so common to be overwhelmed with lots and lots of simulation result variables that are automatically generated after a single run for energy performance analysis. These variables can range from weather data parameters, building loads, energy consumption by end uses, carbon emission levels, utility costs factors to individual thermal zone loads, surface temperatures, heat gain-loss characteristics, etc. Most energy simulation interfaces are designed to get things organized by providing the users with options to select which result variables to generated and which ones to be visualized after a simulation run. However, even after these pre-selections for output customizations, the total number of variables can be intimidating. This is particularly the case when your goal is to get a specific set of result variables that can reflect the overall energy performance of a building design with some detail to reflect energy consumption (such disaggregated end-use energy consumption analysis). For instance, after typical simulation run what I am expecting to quickly keep an eye on is the following items of disaggregated end-uses:
- Space Heating
- Space Cooling
- Fans, pumps, heat rejection (Auxiliary Systems) (these can be taken separately)
- Internal Lights
- Internal Equipment
- Service-Domestic Water Heating
The list shown above is readily applicable to simulation approaches where HVAC systems are not modeled in detail but instead represented as idealized “purchased” air and water supply systems. However, in case you are working on a full-blown model with HVAC systems this list can be expanded if needed depending on the variability of the energy consuming equipment in the entire HVAC configuration. Furthermore, some more detailed building energy models can include end-use items like external lights and other process equipment (specialized kitchen equipment, swimming pools, computer/server rooms, etc.). The list shown above is my wish list and this specific collection of end-use items may not be readily available within the crowded list of result variables. The best way out of this situation is to create your own custom “PRESET” in which you pick specific variables and collect them under your own container with a custom name and definition. IESVE program offers its users a functionality to create and manage custom presets within its VistaPro module. There is a great potential and here is my help for you to pick up specific result variables to create your own presets within the VistaPro module:
PRESET 01: Energy-for-ApacheSys
This preset is dedicated to building energy models which are NOT linked to a detailed HVAC system model. Instead “Apache Systems” thermal calculation and simulation module is utilized. This preset provides all the information about the most fundamental end-uses without overlaps and duplications. The names of the results variables are important, and they can be found from the Variables list when “Energy” option is pre-selected. Here is the list of result variables for this preset (explanations are within the brackets after the name):
- Total equip energy (~ Internal Equipment)
- Total lights energy (~ Internal Lights)
- Ap Sys aux + DHW/solar pumps energy (~Auxiliary Systems)
- Ap Sys heat rej fans/pumps energy (~Auxiliary Systems)
- Ap Sys chillers energy (~Space Cooling)
- Ap Sys boilers DHW energy (~Service-Domestic Water Heating)
- Ap Sys boilers space cond’g energy (~Space Heating)
As can be seen, the total systems energy is not in this preset to avoid problems of duplication when you are getting the cumulative energy and generating pie charts for performance visualizations.
PRESET 02: Energy-for-ApacheHVAC
This preset is dedicated to building energy models which are LINKED to a detailed HVAC system model. Therefore, ApacheHVAC has been utilized to develop a detailed HVAC models and linked to the core simulation model at the start of the dynamic simulation with ApacheSim (Dynamic Simulation). Note that this preset is fairly a typical one that is applicable for a standard HVAC system (such as ASHRAE 90.1 Baseline System Type 7 which is a typical VAV terminal reheat with boilers and chillers on the plant side). As I mentioned before, detailed HVAC systems can contain various active components (VRFs, DX cooling, standalone DHW heater/boiler, heat pumps, etc.) which can be reported separately if needed. Here is the list of result variables for this preset (explanations are within the brackets after the name):
- ApHVAC distr fans energy (~Auxiliary Systems)
- Equip energy (~Internal Equipment)
- ApHVAC distr pumps energy (~Auxiliary Systems)
- ApHVAC heat rej fans/pumps energy (~Auxiliary Systems)
- Lights energy (~Internal Lights)
- ApHVAC chillers energy (~Space Cooling)
- ApHVAC boilers space cond’g energy (~Space Heating)
- ApHVAC boilers DHW energy (~Service-Domestic Water Heating)
I find it significant to repeat that these PRESETS are starter or standard presets which would work well in most cases particularly during the initial phases of design (and extending into the design development phase). However, keep in my mind you will need to create more customizes ones of your own as the complexity of your building energy model demands.
Happy presetting of your results with IESVE!
Omer T. Karaguzel, PhD
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