Whole building simulation may play a key role in the optimization and assessment of the market potential of new building components. In the SOLVENT Project, ESP-r was used for such purposes, in the case applied to a new reversible ventilated window. The innovative character of the window required the development of a specific simulation approach within ESP-r, in order to account for buoyancy in the air channel. A multi-zone approach with an air flow network was developed, and several variations studied.
We define building systems as systems that not only consist of the load bearing building structure and its environment, the service systems (installations), and the control systems, but also include building usage and users. Our ultimate goal is a virtual building labo- ratory for the concurrent simulation of all components of such building systems. This will be an extension of performance simulators.
This article presents a simulation method for predicting the long-term energy performance of a central air-conditioning system serving interior zones of buildings with similar daily cooling load profiles. The method is based on a multiple psychrometric analysis of the system, frequency-based climate model, and a measured daily cooling load profile. Comparison with existing simulation software is discussed.
The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) has established a standard for defining interchangeable data formats among various computer models in Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) domains. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to make their data models compliant to the IFC standard through either adopting new data structures or creating bridges that can convert IFC data to be used by the various proprietary models.
The paper is discussing problems of modelling of those elements in low-energy building design process. There is preview of the mathematical approaches and tools, which could be used to evaluate and predict energy-environmental aspects of the low-energy building systems design process. Discussion is supported by evaluation of case study of energy system in low energy building using ESP-r. The evaluation is focused on energy consumption in the conditions of the Czech Republic.
The Loop Equation Design Method has been proposed for sizing ventilation airflow components of natural and hybrid ventilation systems. While the loop design method has been demonstrated on a limited basis, the method has been automated in order to better evaluate its reliability under a more controlled, i.e., less error-prone, environment. This paper describes a computer program that implements the Loop Equation Design Method of sizing the openings of naturally ventilated buildings.
SEMPER, which was originally developed at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), is an active, multi-domain, space-based, object-oriented design support tool for integrated building performance computing. This paper discusses the key findings of a collaborative research project between National University of Singapore, Carnegie Mellon University and Temasek Polytechnic to modify and transform SEMPER prototype 1 into SEMPER-II (S2), as an internet-based computational design support environment in order to facilitate geographically distributed design collaboration.
This paper presents the background, approach and initial results of a project, which aims to achieve better integrated building and systems control modeling in building performance simulation by run- time coupling of distributed computer programs. This paper focuses on one of the essential steps towards this goal, namely the communication mechanism between two or more different software tools and/or platforms. Various options for this inter- process communication are described and compared.
An optimization module is developed and incorporated within EnergyPlus. As an application of the optimization module, improved controls are determined for building passive thermal energy storage inventory. The paper describes the implementation of the optimization module within EnergyPlus. Moreover, the paper presents results of a comparative analysis to assess the performance of various optimization algorithms evaluated as part of the implementation of the internal optimization module within EnergyPlus.
A module for ice-based thermal energy storage (TES) systems has been developed and integrated within EnergyPlus. The TES module uses BLAST models for two direct ice systems (ice-on-coil external melt and ice harvester) and one indirect ice systems (ice- on-coil internal melt). The TES systems are integrated as part of the EnergyPlus cooling plant components and are able to operate for any charge/discharge rates provided as input data. In this paper, the structure of the TES module as implemented in the EnergyPlus is described.
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