How to run EnergyPlus in commandline using HVAC and/or plant loop system

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I'm trying to run EnergyPlus in commandline. I first tried to use energyplus.exe but it seems that it doesn't work when the idf file contains HVAC system (the error file says You must run the ExpandObjects program for "HVACTemplate:Thermostat").

Then, I saw in another post that in that cas we should use RunEPlus.bat file. But it still doesn't work. I get errors that indicate that :

Node Connection Error, Node="ENTREE_CHAUFFAGE", Inlet node did not find an appropriate matching "outlet" node."

When I run EnergyPlus from EPLauch whith the same file, it works well.

I don't know if it's linked, but I'm trying to simulate a simple one zone building with an indoor pool within, and thus a plant loop is needed for pool heating.

adijoux

asked 2019-08-22 03:27:07 -0500

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__AmirRoth__

updated 2019-09-29 10:20:45 -0500

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The Node Connection Error message appears because "ENTREE_CHAUFFAGE" is the Inlet Node field of one object, but not the Outlet Node field of a different object. When you define air or plant (water) loops in EnergyPlus, these node fields connect components together so that EnergyPlus knows where the working fluid (air or water) leaves one component and enters the next component downstream.

Search for "ENTREE_CHAUFFAGE" in your IDF to find what component this is an inlet node for. Then, determine what component should be upstream and set its outlet node to "ENTREE_CHAUFFAGE".

Aaron Boranian (2019-08-30 06:56:59 -0500) edit

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RunEplus.bat is deprecated. Use the Command Line Interface (CLI) energyplus indeed.

You just need to read the documentation, the key information can also be gotten directly in your terminal via energyplus --help (see example at end of post).

Anyways, in your case, what you want is to the pass the -x (or equivalent --expandobjects) flag to ensure that expandObjects is run. You will probably be interested in -r too if you want to get CSV files out.

Example to run with expandobjects and readvareso, use weather.epw to run in.epw and output results in a out/ folder:

energyplus -w weather.epw -d out/ -r -x in.idf

Example of embedded CLI help:

$ energyplus --help
EnergyPlus, Version 9.2.0-4f4f5d8ca1
Usage: energyplus [options] [input-file]
Options:
  -a, --annual                 Force annual simulation
  -c, --convert                Output IDF->epJSON or epJSON->IDF, dependent on
                               input file type
  -D, --design-day             Force design-day-only simulation
  -d, --output-directory ARG   Output directory path (default: current
                               directory)
  -h, --help                   Display help information
  -i, --idd ARG                Input data dictionary path (default: Energy+.idd
                               in executable directory)
  -m, --epmacro                Run EPMacro prior to simulation
  -p, --output-prefix ARG      Prefix for output file names (default: eplus)
  -r, --readvars               Run ReadVarsESO after simulation
  -s, --output-suffix ARG      Suffix style for output file names (default: L)
                                  L: Legacy (e.g., eplustbl.csv)
                                  C: Capital (e.g., eplusTable.csv)
                                  D: Dash (e.g., eplus-table.csv)
  -v, --version                Display version information
  -w, --weather ARG            Weather file path (default: in.epw in current
                               directory)
  -x, --expandobjects          Run ExpandObjects prior to simulation
Example: energyplus -w weather.epw -r input.idf

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Julien Marrec

answered 2019-08-30 04:06:44 -0500, updated 2020-06-26 05:30:08 -0500

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Very helpful comment! I think you meant in.idf though. Just leaving this here to help someone in the future :)

Jmythms (2020-06-24 11:49:06 -0500) edit

Corrected, thanks for the catch

Julien Marrec (2020-06-26 05:30:19 -0500) edit

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You might want to consider using Modelkit to run models in command prompt. There should be no issue running a model with expand objects. I demonstrate how to compose and simulate models using modelkit commands in this video. Alternatively, Modelkit comes with batch files that can also be used to run the simulations.