Hello all,
My software version number is 8.11.7.103.
I am a graduate student at Virginia Tech in the process of learning AECOsim ES and using it to help model the energy system of a living pod project we have in development. I've slowly progressed through increasingly complex models, but I ran into an issue a few models ago and it's remained unsolved.
Basically, I had an HVAC system with a multispeed heat pump, and made two versions with additional components: one with photovoltaics (PV) only, and another one with PV and a Hot Water Coil. Regardless of what is in the HVAC system though, since everything else remained the same (schedules, weather data, etc...) shouldn't the heating demand of the building remain the same? The relative contributions well change since the second model has a Hot Water Coil to help with heating, but the overall heating energy input should be the same across both models, right? When I examined the data I was getting a wide range of inconsistencies... going from almost the same to almost 1,000,000 BTU's on a monthly basis!
I've been looking into this issue for almost 2 months now, and I haven't really found anything to solve this issue. One variable I did find was Plant Loop Heating Demand, but since the first model doesn't involve a Plant Loop, it doesn't have this as a report variable (the Plant Loop is only involved because of the addition of the HW Coil). Any help would be very much appreciated.. I am at wit's end trying to figure this out!
If any further details are needed, I am happy to provide screenshots/more info etc... as needed.
Thanks everyone,
-Adam
Adam,
Can you send me your project? We also have a new (almost released) build. That may help your issues -- the HVAC designer is now a graphic drag/drop with physical objects rather than E+ components.
Dru (Dru.Crawley@bentley.com)
Dru,
Sure thing! By graphic drag/drop do you mean the square modules? I'm already seeing that in my version of AECOsim, unless you meant actual realistic representations of a boiler, generator, etc... Right now I work around some of the bugs in AECOsim by uploading the IDF file into EP-Launch and using IDF-Editor to fine-tune some of the details, and then I simulate using EnergyPlus. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to transfer the IDF back into AECOsim so I have to go back and forth a lot.
I'll send the two project folders to your email, and thanks again!
The squares are now icons for the physical components. For example, here's a WSHP system.
And I should say... this is the ENTIRE system... all of the other boxes that you're seeing on the SS1 release (8.11.7.103) are gone.
Oh WOW. That looks great! How close are you guys to launching it? My professor would definitely love to see the system like that instead of all those green boxes!
I just emailed you my folders, let me know if you need anything else.