Advice and question relating to modelling shades using OS and EP.

edit

When a simulation is run through OpenStudio, the OS model creates an EnergyPlus IDF, runs the E+ simulation, and imports the results back into OS. OS has the ability to export the IDF which you can edit and run through EP Launch, however certain changes made to the IDF will not be reflected if you tried to import back into OS. If you use the 'import IDF' function of OS, only certain elements are brought back into OS (internal loads, schedules, materials, constructions, surfaces, and zones). Changing the Shading Control Type and setpoint in EP-Lanuch/IDF-editor would likely not be translated back to OS.

If you want to use the E+ shading controls that aren't currently supported by OS, but run the simulation and view results in OS, you would need to create an EnergyPlus Measure in OpenStudio. These measures manipulate the IDF created by OS before the simulation is run by E+. The final results are then pulled back into OS.

If creating an EnergyPlus measure is too daunting, you may decide to have a 1 way workflow where you make changes in the OS model, export the IDF and manually change the shading control, and then view the final results from an E+ output report. Another solution could be to run the more detailed solar control in E+ and determine the annual schedule for when the shades are deployed. You could then re-create a custom, hourly schedule in OS that mimics the operation and apply it to your OS model using the 'on if schedule allows' control.