Can I define output variables in OpenStudio

asked 2024-01-06 10:09:42 -0600

Pavan's avatar

updated 2024-01-06 10:21:47 -0600

I am a graduate student at UNC Charlotte, currently doing research on energy-efficient housing in Indonesia. In my prototype, I am not incorporating HVAC systems, relying instead on passive design strategies to achieve the required thermal comfort conditions. In the course of my study, I have encountered challenges while processing building models using OpenStudio, and I am seeking your expertise to address the following queries:

  1. Timestamps for Adaptive Thermal Comfort Values: Is it possible to obtain timestamps indicating when the building doesn't meet its adaptive thermal comfort values? I have noticed that, following simulations, I am able to retrieve total number of hours not meeting ASHRAE standards but not the timestamps(a CSV-Excel file) where the building does not meet its comfort conditions. Interestingly, I do receive such timestamps when running the model in the EnergyPlus engine directly by defining output variable. Do we have any such option in openstudio ?

  2. Heat Transfer Data and Surface Analysis for Thermal Zones: I need to get the data regarding heat transfer within various spaces (thermal zones) and heat transfer by the impact of external sources, particularly sunlight. My aim is to identify specific surfaces that are more susceptible to heat transfer and implement targeted measures for improvement. Is it possible to get surface-by-surface heat transfer or heat conduction data ? If obtaining a breakdown of heat transfer data at the surface level is feasible, could you please advise on any necessary additions or modifications required to the output variables

  3. Parametric analysis tool: I have a set of variables (such as WWR, R-value etc.) which vary and which help to achieve desired thermal comfort conditions in the indoor space. On simulating, Can the OpenStudio PAT tool generate an optimal set of conditions to achieve the desired thermal comfort by simulating variations in variables ?

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Comments

Hi Pavan, this is not a direct answer, but it might help you to open the .RDD file located in the Run folder in the OpenStudio (OS) simulation folder. The .RDD contains all possible Output Variables that you can call. Be aware that you first need to run the OS simulation with all the objects you intend on getting output variables for, and then peruse the .RDD file for the output variables you are interested in. The .RDD file is a list of all output variables and meters that EnergyPlus has found that you can report for the simulation.

IanVG's avatar IanVG  ( 2024-01-19 10:03:24 -0600 )edit

To finish up my comment, if you want an output variable that's not available from E+, then I'm not sure you can extract the data you are looking for. But I bet there are more experienced users that may say otherwise.

IanVG's avatar IanVG  ( 2024-01-19 10:05:15 -0600 )edit