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Utility Cost:Charge:Block in OpenStudio

asked 9 years ago

updated 9 years ago

Does the Xcel Energy Tariffs in OpenStudio include UtilityCost:Charge:Block component? I would like to simulate a utility rate structure with block: under 600hrs, there is a rate and in excess of 600hrs, there is another rate. But I can't decide which one to use in Xcel Energy Tariffs.

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answered 9 years ago

No, none of the rates in the Xcel Energy Tariffs Measure use the UtilityCost:Charge:Block object. If you want to add that, I'd suggest the following approach:

  1. Copy the Xcel Tariff Measure through OS App or PAT
  2. Copy one of the rate IDFs inside the /resources directory and modify it to reflect the rates you want using the correct EnergyPlus objects.
  3. Add the name of that new IDFto the choice inputs in the measure.rb file
  4. Run the Measure. If it fails, you may need to modify the measure.rb file to import the additional types of EnergyPlus objects that aren't yet being imported. The patterns for adding different types of objects are on lines 98-114.
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@Yan, just out of interest, or you just looking for block charges for usage or also for demand. Examples B and C in the EnergyPlus Documentation demonstrate these.

I'm investigating a generic tariff measure to do this. I'll likely provide 6 input fields for three pairs of block size and associated cost. I could make it more flexible by allowing the user to enter comma separated string to take an unlimited number of blocks, but that may not be as user friendly.

David Goldwasser's avatar David Goldwasser  ( 9 years ago )

@David Goldwasser, thanks for your information.

Yan's avatar Yan  ( 9 years ago )

Your welcome. I did add a block tariff measure to a few generic ones we are making. One is flat, the other has seasonal and peak time of day adjustments. Should be on BCL in a few weeks.

David Goldwasser's avatar David Goldwasser  ( 9 years ago )

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Asked: 9 years ago

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Last updated: Jun 10 '15