I'm aware of how to do a parametric run in an IDF file but when attempted in an IMF I receive errors. Is it possible to do parametric simulations directly in the IMF file? If so, what is the syntax?
One approach is to run EP-Macro first and get out.idf. Then out.idf can be run using EP-Launch which will automatically run parametric preprocessor program. AbsorptionChiller_Macro.imf EnergyPlus example file is a good place to start. The HVAC3ZoneMat-Const.idf below can have Parametric:SetValueForRun etc. objects.
##include C:\EnergyPlusV8-5-0\HVAC3ZoneMat-Const.idf
Yeah, I could run the IMF file, take the .expidf file, rename to .idf and parameterize that file. However, I would like to parameterize an IMF defined variable that is used to calculate a number of other variables in the IMF.
I guess my question would be more simply worded as:
Can I parameterize a ##set1 variable[] =?
Do you mean by using Parametric:SetValueForRun? If so, than no you cannot use those variables in a EPMacro ##set1 statement.
So I guess the best way is to simulate the IMF to get the IDF and then parameterize the IDF file?
Thank you for your time.
I wanted to touch base on this question. I have since found a tool able to do parametric simulation on EnergyPlus IMF files. It is not native to EnergyPlus but it is quite powerful and has really sped up my parametric studies, especially since it compiles all the output results into one file too.
The tool is called jEPlus, main page can be found here. There are a number of video tutorials that can be found here.The one that helped me with parametric IMF manipulation was this one here.
I hope this is helpful to someone else looking for the answer to this question.
Comments
There are several different way to do parametric simulations with EnergyPlus, which one are you using?
I'm referring to parameterizing a variable directly within the IMF file. Without the use for third-party applications or splitting the file into individual configurations.