[esp-r] Re: Performance - LEED

[Jon Hand]

The current state (from my perspective) is noted with a ***
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ESP-r has the capability of performing the following requirement of ASHRAE 90.1 2004:

 *   a minimum capacity of 1,400 hours per year;
***  sub-hourly time steps can be used in simulations

 *   hourly variations in occupancy; lighting power; miscellaneous equipment power;
***  there are several ways to do this

 *   thermostat set points; and have system operation, that can defined separately for each day of the week and holidays;
*** there is code to be merged which supports holidays for zone controls as well as
     the existing occupancy holiday scheduling

 *   thermal mass effects;
*** this is part of the solution technique including the explicit representation of internal mass in zones
     which probably goes way past what ASHRAE requires.

 *   ten or more thermal zones;
*** yes (but less than the hundreds--thousands of zones some tools support)

 *   part-load performance curves for mechanical equipment used in the system;
*** in general no, systems are explicit rather than represented by curves, Canadian groups
      probably support this for some systems (see note below).
      It should be possible to extend zone controls to include performance curve data to aide in reporting.

 *   capacity and efficiency correction curves for mechanical heating and cooling equipment;
*** in general no, systems are explicit rather than represented by curves. post-processing
     might be possible to approximate this.

 *   air-side and water-side economizers with integrated control;
*** via the use of explicit systems and controls and flow networks

One of the issues with LEED is the need for parasitic electrical use for fans and pumps and
the current flow network and zone controls do not represent parasitics. Electrical
power simulation tends to be a step to far for most ESP-r users.

Canadian groups do support (for their own purposes) much of the information needed
for LEED but few outside of these groups know how to 'work the magic'.

ESRU has embedded quite a bit of what might be useful for LEED within the context of the
European Building Directive facilities - but mostly the arbitrary requirements of
such codes are difficult to generalize.

A recent graduate of Strathclyde had a PhD on issues related to simulation support for
regulations compliance who will hopefully join in and provide further details and
correct any errors in the above *** items.

-Jon Hand