Temperature Dataset of PNNL Models

I work with PNNL Prototype Building Models in EnergyPlus. I need hourly indoor and outdoor temperatures in different zones. As you may know, these temperatures should be stored in the ".ESO" file in the output of EnergyPlus models.

The problem that I have is when I run these prototype models, the ".ESO" file is not generated. Should I add any parameter to the model? Do PNNL models that have been used as benchmark energy models generate hourly datasets?

FYI, I use windows and version 9.0.1 of energy plus. I tried with other versions as well, but It did not work. The PNNL sample models are on version 9.0.0. I checked other generated files, but I couldn't find any hourly temperature data.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

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Mostafa Meimand

asked 2020-10-05 09:37:23 -0500

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Aaron Boranian

updated 2020-10-05 11:02:50 -0500

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The PNNL Prototype Building Models (also known as Commercial Reference Building Models) can generate hourly indoor and outdoor air temperatures using the Output:Variable object, as shown below.

Output:Variable,*,Zone Mean Air Temperature,Hourly;
Output:Variable,*,Site Outdoor Air Drybulb Temperature,Hourly;

If you search for "Output:Variable" in the IDF (EnergyPlus input file) for any PNNL prototype that you downloaded, you will find them with "!" at the beginning of the text line, like below.

!  Output:Variable,*,Site Outdoor Air Wetbulb Temperature,Hourly;

This means this line is a comment that EnergyPlus will ignore. That is why the PNNL prototypes you download don't generate ESO files -- all of the output variables are commented out.

There are plenty of posts on Unmet Hours about selecting correct output variables if you search in the "output-variable" tag. Here is one about adding them in IDF Editor, and here is one about more background on how you can review all possible output variables that can be generated by a given input file.

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Aaron Boranian

answered 2020-10-05 11:20:02 -0500

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Thanks, Aaron, for your kind help. That was a big help.

Mostafa Meimand (2020-10-06 19:19:07 -0500) edit

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Thank you Aaron for answering the question. I wrote my answers before seeing yours. So, some of the informaiton might Thank you Aarron for answering the question. I wrote my answer before seeing yours. So, some informaiton might be a repeat.

Hi there, Thanks for your interests in using the DOE/PNNL’s Commercial Prototype Building Models.
Different users have their own needs from the models. In the latest posted models, we put some placeholder output objects and comment them out using “!” sign in front of them. You can remove them like the example below to activate some outputs. If your desired output variables are not included in the placeholder objects, you can use the .rdd file file (output file after one simulation) to view all the available outputs from a model. For your continence, this object may help you to generate the hourly room temperature outputs. Output:Variable,,Zone Mean Air Temperature, hourly;

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