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Create Multiple Timesteps in EnergyPlus?

Using DesignBuilder...

Is there a way to create multiple custom timesteps for output variables in EnergyPlus. For example, I would like to output zone temperatures every minute and power consumption every 15 minutes. I can create another object in the timestep field, but there is no way to select more than one "timestep" when I am choosing my Reporting Frequency. It also comes up with an error right away when trying to run a simulation with multiple timesteps.

Is there a way to do this?

map1995's avatar
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map1995
asked 2017-07-26 10:56:17 -0500
__AmirRoth__'s avatar
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__AmirRoth__
updated 2017-07-26 11:35:52 -0500
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2 Answers

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This answer is no:

  • you cannot set an arbitrary reporting frequency for an Output:Variable: the Reporting Frequency can only be Detailed, Timestep, Hourly, Daily, Monthly, or RunPeriod=Environment=Annual, (see here),

  • you cannot have more than one Timestep object (in the Energy+.idd it has the \unique-object property).

I would run with Timestep=60, report both variables at the "Timestep" level, and resample (downsample) the power consumption down to 15 minutes. Note that this would still bear the extra cost of reporting the power consumption every minute by E+, but maybe you have a good reason to get it to 15-minute (such as determining electric demand...)

Julien Marrec's avatar
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Julien Marrec
answered 2017-07-31 07:01:37 -0500
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Because your desired reporting frequencies for both are sub-hourly (one minute for zone air temperature and 15 minutes for power consumption), you will need to run two simulations: one with a timestep of one minute (Timestep field is set to 60), and one with a timestep of 15 minutes (Timestep field is set to 4). After each simulation, be sure to open this folder on your computer:

C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\DesignBuilder\EnergyPlus

image description

In this folder, you will see the related output files generated by EnergyPlus from the most recent simulation. The output file that you want to preserve is the ESO file (ends with .eso file extension). Change the name of this ESO file, then run a new simulation with a new timestep to generate a new ESO file. You can then use DesignBuilder's Results Viewer tool to load both ESO files in the same window to generate plots.

You can refer to this question that is also related to the DesignBuilder Results Viewer tool and running simulations with different timestep settings.

Aaron Boranian's avatar
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Aaron Boranian
answered 2017-07-26 12:18:08 -0500
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