This question has been asked before, but I can't actually find an answer
anywhere.
The question is basically what simulation tool can be used to model cold
storage?
A supermarket is a good example of cold storage. I have read that
EnergyPlus has numerous features to model supermarkets, including cold
racks and lots more. But I have also read that EnergyPlus is
text-input-only and a graphical user interface is advisable.
I have never used EnergyPlus. I have used EnergyPro and E-Quest.
Do any of you EnergyPlus gurus out there recommend EnergyPlus for
supermarkets and further do you recommend a graphical interface?
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C
I thin k E-plus is your best fit. I don't think E-quest can do it because the minimum indoor temp can not be set below 55F. I have done something similar before in E-Plus and it worked fine.
Hussein
eQUEST has a refrigeration version: http://doe2.com/download/equest/
You can model cold storage warehouses, etc.
Morgan Heater, P.E.
I could not have it to work, and others could not have it to work either.
So, it is supposed to have that capability, but some have been unable to
get it to work.
Please know that there is a new file here:
http://energyplus.helpserve.com/
http://energyplus.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=112
That claims to be a new Refrigerated Cases Data Set saying "The file
that was distributed with the EnergyPlus V7 install was flawed. This
file has been corrected of those flaws."
But what about a graphical interface, is that needed?
Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C
Our experience in modeling cold warehouse
especially to take into account the effect of the
thermal mass of the storage was with ESPr and TRNSYS
It was not for energy performance validation but for design
Martin Roy, ing. PA LEED
We've played with the DOE-2.2R package, and did some preliminary
modeling of a cold storage facility. The program has some good
capabilities and provided reasonable results when compared to actual
utility data we had for the project.
An example refrigerated warehouse project is included with the install.
David Reddy
Dear Robert,
I am now preparing a model of a supermarket in E+ (for the first time J) and have most of the pieces in place. So far, so good.
If you have not used E+ previously, you?ll be climbing a steep learning curve for the program itself in addition to using a fair number of the more sophisticated features ? consider carefully whether your schedule and budget allow it!
I use DesignBuilder v2 for the building geometry and materials ? and it works very well. The new version (v3) appears to be very powerful and may allow you to shorten that learning curve dramatically. I don?t know if they?ve incorporated refrigerated casework?
p.s., Don?t underestimate the time and effort to corral all of the casework energy data. In my 50,000 sq. ft. store there are over 50 pieces of casework on multiple refrigeration circuits, each of which has a unique COPs. Also, you must identify and quantify casework:
? fan power
? lighting power
? anti-sweat heaters
? sensible and latent case credits and
? defrost method, timing and energy source?.
? and if you are involved with a LEED project, the Proposed system will likely be different than Baseline.
Whew!
James V. Dirkes II, P.E., BEMP , LEED AP
This cold storage shows all business on how people use from it. It is usually scanned the containers using high standard technology in the cargo.www.azteccontainer.com