Lectue 01 Simulation Overview.ppt

April 2003 EnergyPlus Workshop for Beginning Modelers - Part 1 Lecture 1: An Overview of Simulation and EnergyPlus Purpose of this Lecture Gain an understanding of Simulation as a Concept EnergyPlus as a Simulation Tool Briefly review topics important to your understanding of building thermal simulations What is Simulation? Definition: “the imitative representation of the functioning of one system or process by means of the functioning of another a computer simulation of an industrial process” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary On-Line) What is Building Thermal Simulation? Approximate definition: a computer model of the energy processes within a building that are intended to provide a thermally comfortable environment for the occupants (or contents) of a building Examples of building thermal simulation programs: EnergyPlus, Energy-10, BLAST, DOE-2, esp-R, TRNSYS, etc. Goals of Building Thermal Simulation Load Calculations Generally used for determining sizing of equipment such as fans, chillers, boilers, etc. Energy Analysis Helps evaluate the energy cost of the building over longer periods of time Why is Simulation Important? Buildings consume roughly one-third of all the energy consumed nationally every year Much of this energy is consumed maintaining the thermal conditions inside the building and lighting Simulation can and has played a significant role in reducing the energy consumption of buildings How does Simulation save Energy? Building thermal simulation allows one to model a building before it is built or before renovations are started Simulation allows various energy alternatives to be investigated and options compared to one another Simulation can lead to an energy-optimized building or inform the design process Simulation is much less expensive and less time consuming than experimentation (every building is different) Quick Review of Important Background Concepts Control Volumes and the Conservation of: Mass Energy (First Law of Thermodynamics) Heat Transfer M