Hi,
I'm new to the use of E-quest, I'm just starting to play around with it by performing some preliminary simulations.
The reason why I started using it is because of its feature of managing skylight properties: for a research project I'd like to simulate an "ideal skylight" solution, which could basically adapt its main properties (VLT and SHGC) in order to minimize building energy consumption. I've seen there's a very interesting "parametric run" tool, which can make me able to perform simulations with different values of these parameters.
My question is: does E-quest support the possibility of writing a function which changes this values over the run itself with a rule set by the user? Or, at least, can I set different values at different times of the day?
Thanks for your attention,
Best Regards
Stefano
--
Stefano Moret
I do not believe so, but you can try lots of different configurations that
you either draw, or trace from cad..
Thanks Jeremiah,
I actually don't want to change much to the model itself, I just want to give different properties to materials (or change components) in different times of the year. Let's say, I want to use a type of skylight in winter that's different from the one I use in summer, by changing the model of the skylight or some of its main parameters. Do you think this might be possible? Maybe adding some external script?
Thanks, Stefano
You may wish to ask Joe Huang, as if there is anyone who could do this he
would be the one, as he is one of the most knowledgeable in the world so
far as the DOE2 computer code.
Best of luck
Hi Stefano,
Before you start trying to recode eQUEST, you might see if the scheduling options in the Window Properties window will be close enough approximations for you. The Blinds/Drapes - Switching tab has several options that allow you to vary conductance, solar transmission, etc. during the course of a simulation. It's meant to represent variable shading, so you can decide if that's scientific enough for what you're doing.
The only other "easy" way I can think of is to run the model with both (or all) of the skylight options, and stitch the results together (March through August with one, the remainder with the other for example). The effect would be the same as if a guy went up and swapped out the glass one day. You'd have to lock down equipment sizing and a few other things to make sure that's the only difference, but still easier than adding your own eQUEST feature.
Maybe you're better with code than me though! Good luck however you decide to do it.
Thanks,
Wesley
Thanks Wesley,
Nice to know that I can schedule different window properties by schedule, this is a simplified approach that might give an estimate of the saving.
I was wondering if the software already had a function reproducing basically what electro-chromic windows do, that's basically maintaining a constant illuminance level in a room, reducing solar heat gain and light transmittance accordingly. If not, then it might be an idea to try and implementing this function, as I reckon it might be useful in various application.
Thanks, regards
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Stefano Moret
Hi Stefano. Within the Window, under Blinds/Drapes-Switching, there is an
option for switching of window properties. This is to represent windows with
electrochromic switching. As far as I know (I've never actually used it) it
can only switch between two sets of window properties. But it can be
switched on various ambient conditions (solar gain, temperature, etc).
If thats not sophisticated enough, you could try using an 8760 hour schedule
generated in Excel. Output all the data you need (OAT, solar gain, etc),
then do your calculations in Excel to generate your shading schedule and
import it into your file.
Or if you really want a function, Doe2.1e allows them. But they're not very
user friendly...
Mike
Michael Wilson, P.Eng.
just for kicks i tried downloading the current crossover mac application
& running equest 3.63b on it. the results were:
1. it installed,
2. it crashed during the first attempt to simulate a building i've
already completed
3. except for the 3d view of the geometry it seemed to work fine after
loading it again. i was able to run the simulation previously run under
win2k/3.63b & get the same results after starting with just .inp file
(and had to figure out where crossover hid the equest weather directory).
4. started a new project just to test it & it ran a simulation but also
had problems showing the 3d view of the geometry. that is to say, the
3d view of the building does not work. sorta defeats the purpose of
running it under what is basically emulation if one can't visually check
the building geometry to see if it represents what one thinks the input
should look like.
5. did not try tracing out zones over a .dwg background file.
some screen caps attached in zip file.
Dear Wesley and Michael,
Thanks for your suggestions. I have been looking into the window/drapes functions, i.e. the possibility of changing blind positions over 3 different seasons. I didn't find, though, the possibility of switching on ambient conditions, as suggested by Michael. How can you do that?
It's quite interesting the possibility of uploading an annual hourly schedule into the software. Do you think I can generate an excel schedule setting different values for some parameters (window properties such as VLT and SHGC) and import them into E-quest to run my model? It's not a perfect solution but I could have for sure a good estimate of the savings.
Thanks, Stefano
Hi Stefano. Switching is under window properties, Blinds tab. See graphic
below.
To do it in Excel requires a bit of playing around with the formatting. Once
you've done that you can save the Excel sheet as a prn file, which will turn
it into text and it can be copied into the inp file and re-imported. But
getting the formatting straight can be a bit of work.
Mike
Michael Wilson, P.Eng.
Thanks, I see what you mean, I'll try and use the EMIT schedule generator for that.
For what I see, with shades I can set set a schedule for solar heat gain, and from the daylight tab I can regulate visible light transmittance.
It's nice that you can switch on daylight levels as control parameter, would be nice it to be adapting as electro-chromic windows and not 0/1 as it is here.
Thanks for your inputs, Regards
Stefano