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Actuator controled by Python API is not available in my scenario

asked 2025-05-14 23:27:10 -0500

px889's avatar

updated 2025-05-15 07:09:42 -0500

I would like to develop an MPC controller using the EnergyPlus Python API to control an HVAC cooling system. The structure and some information are shown below:

  1. Radiant surface is connected with a chilled water plant loop named “CHW LOOP FOR RCF”
  2. CAV has been chosen as the air supply mode of AHU.
  3. Cooling coil is connected with a chilled water plant loop named “CHW LOOP FOR DOAS”. This terminal unit will overcool the air for dehumidification.
  4. Heating coil is connected with a hot water plant loop named “HW LOOP FOR HC”. This terminal unit will reheat the outlet air of cooling coil for thermal comfort.

Regarding the control of the above-mentioned system, I have the following questions:

Question 1: Is it possible to directly control the output power of the radiant panel and the cooling/heating coils at the same time using the EnergyPlus Python API so that they can operate at a constant power regardless of the setpoints (i.e. no control based on the indoor operative temperature setpoints)? For example, can the cooling or heating power of a radiant surface, and the cooling coil, and heating coil be directly set to 4000 W, 8000 W, and 500 W at the same timestep? If so, how can this be achieved?

Question 2: If the answer to Question 1 is no, is it possible to directly control the water flow rate in the terminal units (radiant panel, and cooling/heating coils), allowing them to operate at a constant flow rate regardless of the setpoints? For example, setting the flow rates of the three terminal units to 0.4 kg/s, 0.8 kg/s, and 0.05 kg/s respectively? If so, how can this be achieved?

Question 3: If the answer to Question 2 is no, can the flow rates of supply pump in the CHW and HW loops be controlled to indirectly control the flow rates of terminal units, ensuring that the flow rates between the loops and terminal units are exactly equal, allowing the terminal units to operate at a constant flow rate while disregarding the setpoints? For example, setting the flow rates of the three loops as 0.4 kg/s, 0.8 kg/s, and 0.05 kg/s? And the terminal untis should not be frequently turned on and off. If possible, how can this be implemented? I should emphasize here that I would like to control the heating and cooling rates at the same time because of the over-cooling and re-heating requirements.

I would appreciate if you could advise me on this.

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answered 2025-05-20 07:13:26 -0500

updated 2025-05-20 08:10:40 -0500

The answer to your question #2 is yes. An actuator for the radiant system water mass flow rate can be set in kg/s. Here is the EnergyManagementSystem actuator object as generated in the EDD file for the example file RadLoHydrHeatCoolAuto

EnergyManagementSystem:Actuator Available,EAST ZONE RADIANT FLOOR,Hydronic Low Temp Radiant,Water Mass Flow Rate,[kg/s]

The Python implementation gives you access to the same variables.

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Asked: 2025-05-14 23:27:10 -0500

Seen: 337 times

Last updated: May 20