How to add variable envelope properties in EnergyPlus (through EMS)?
I was wondering if anyone could assist me with this issue.
Actually, I'm not sure how to model variable windows properties (such as U-Value), while such properties would change per timestep. More detailed, I already created a template and now all I need to do is having such window properties (like U-Value) parameterized within the IDF file (e.x., a P1, P2,..). The reason behind that is I should store such (P1,P2,...) variables with new values (which are generated through MATLAB Genetic Algorithm) and then save the template as a new IDF file and ask EP to run it!
In particular, I need to model for instance four variables, such as P1, P2, P3, and P4; which stand for U-Value of four windows that I have modeled for this case study. In this case, I'll ask EnergyPlus to store new values into those variables and then run my IDF file. This approach would let me have the window properties dynamic and varying per timestep.
Having all said, I'm not sure about the EMS part. For instance, what should I have as the sensor? From the EMS Application Guide, I realized that the EMS Sensor should be picked from the RDD file. However, I'm not able to find window U-value as an output there, as basically window U-Value is not an output!
Just to clarify more, all I need with such EMS setup is something like this (through EMS Program): "set U-Value= P1". But then, I'm not sure how to define the proper setup (such as sensor, actuator, or so on).
I'm really struggling with this EMS setup and any help would be highly appreciated!
Thanks! @Aaron Boranian @ericmartinpe
@Mohammad Are you trying to SET window properties based upon some other parameter (outdoor air temperature, e.g.), or are you trying to USE window properties as an input to know how to change some other parameter?
@Aaron Boranian Thank you so much for your continued support.
Also, I should appreciate your clarification. Yes, you are right! Basically, I'm trying to define a parameter (e.x., called as P1) as a window property through EMS of a template IDF file and then USE such parameter to have that window property as a dynamic.
The main goal of this approach would be having the window U-Value changed per each timestep- based on the values that would be fed to that P1 during each generation of the Genetic Algorithm (per timestep).
Thanks again for all your valuable hints.