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What is the difference between Total Source Energy and Net Source Energy

asked 2016-07-22 08:33:23 -0600

Noosha's avatar

updated 2016-07-22 09:15:29 -0600

In my output results, these numbers (Total Source Energy and Net Source Energy) are different. While "Total Site Energy" and "Net Site Energy" are the same Why? image description

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Do you happen to have a district heating or distrinct cooling system in your model?

Julien Marrec's avatar Julien Marrec  ( 2016-07-22 10:15:40 -0600 )edit

Or do you have any on-site power or solar thermal in your model?

JasonGlazer's avatar JasonGlazer  ( 2016-07-22 10:25:14 -0600 )edit
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@Noosh has a PV system installed (I inferred that based on his previous post, "How we can assign the title of PV array in EnergyPlus?", where he posted the same question as a comment). Regarding the difference between "Total Source Energy" and "Net Source Energy" it is possible that the PV is feeding energy back to the grid. However, if that is true...then the "Total Site Energy" should have shown a surplus compared to the "Net Side Energy". Instead the site energy (total and net) are the same...meaning that what is generated on site it is consumed on site as well?

Alex Vlachokostas's avatar Alex Vlachokostas  ( 2016-07-22 12:02:55 -0600 )edit

Thank you. Actually, for this output I do not have PV installed. I do have district heating and cooling. For PV system installed, the site energy (total and net) are different. My question is about the difference between total source energy and net source energy in case I do not have the PV system.

Noosha's avatar Noosha  ( 2016-07-22 13:59:52 -0600 )edit

I am going to take another stab at the question and say that Total Source Energy (="represents the total amount of raw fuel that is required to operate the building. It incorporates all transmission, delivery, and production losses" Source: EPA). In contrast, the Net Source Energy is the energy that you get after the losses of delivery and transportation.

Alex Vlachokostas's avatar Alex Vlachokostas  ( 2016-07-22 14:18:49 -0600 )edit

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answered 2016-07-23 10:22:38 -0600

Alex Vlachokostas's avatar

(I am posting the comments as an answer). Total Source Energy (="represents the total amount of raw fuel that is required to operate the building. It incorporates all transmission, delivery, and production losses" Source: EPA). In contrast, the Net Source Energy is the energy that you get after the losses of delivery and transportation. In your example, the difference is between the total and net source energy. There is no difference between total and net site energy. There would have been a difference if you had energy generation (but in this example you don't have any PVs installed, etc).

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@Alex Vlachokostas Could you take a look at this related post here? I'm confused about how the presence of a battery has been affecting the Total Source Energy and Net Source Energy as measured in TDV. My simulations say that charging batteries at night and discharging them during the day costs more than not having a battery. I think I'm interpreting the number incorrectly, but I've gotten some strange results.

mldichter's avatar mldichter  ( 2019-06-20 18:40:04 -0600 )edit

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Asked: 2016-07-22 08:33:23 -0600

Seen: 1,948 times

Last updated: Jul 23 '16