Snowmelt, Outdoor Pool Loads in OpenStudio

What is the best way to add a external load such as a snowmelt system or a outdoor pool in OS or E+. I would like to be able to have a snowmelt or pool boiler, and then add the load on the loop so that I can get the appropriate boiler consumption. Also, I would like to be able to label then end-use as pool or snowmelt.

Currently I am doing this by creating a DHW load in OS that is supplied by a boiler, and then I can change the end-use to snowmelt or pool. I do not like this work around because it is a pain to calculate the DHW flow rate I need to get the desired energy consumption from the boiler, the water use for the project is higher then it should be, and the energy gets lumped under DHW end use in the Annual Building Utility Performance Summary tables. I would like to have it fall under process loads.

Other than post processing I'm not sure how to actually do this in EP or OS, but here are some thoughts.

Snowmelt

Write an EnergyPlus Measure to add a GroundHeatExchanger:Surface object. The Input Output Reference specifically mentions snowmelt in the description.

Outdoor Pool

Use a WaterHeater:Mixed object to approximate the pool
Construct a zone to approximate a pool with a window to allow for solar gains
@Jim Dirkes posted a spreadsheet calculator on the EnergyPlus Support Group based on the Mirza Shah method. The UI on that site is atrocious IMO so I wasn't able to actually find the attachment there, but hopefully others will have better luck.

For reporting you may have to use/write a measure for a meter or variable output and then post process.

Let us know what you come up with.

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MatthewSteen

answered 2015-02-04 18:57:50 -0500, updated 2015-02-04 22:16:26 -0500

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Another option is to use a LoadProfile:Plantobject, which is available in the OS app. This question may be helpful for that: https://unmethours.com/question/14348...