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Adding a Load Profile for an AirLoop

I'm looking for a way to add a measured load profile for an Air Handler. There is already a solution to add a load profile for the chilled water plants using a fixed interval schedule. This post discuss how to do it.

Is there a similar solution for air loops?

Kushan_26's avatar
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Kushan_26
asked 2021-12-07 12:27:51 -0500, updated 2021-12-08 20:39:59 -0500
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2 Answers

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While @ericmartinpe is correct that there isn't one object like the LoadProfile:Plant for air system demand loads, you can do the following:

  1. Create a "dummy zone" that doesn't represent a real space in the building you are modeling. All zones in EnergyPlus need at least one surface, so make the surface(s) of this dummy zone adiabatic with no sun or wind exposure to prevent envelope loads.
  2. Assign an OtherEquipment object to this zone. This can have "None" assigned to it's fuel type (no energy meter consumption), and then the equipment power (total, per area, or per person), schedule, and heat gain/loss fractions can be set to mimic the load profile you desire.
  3. If this air handler you want to model only serves the dummy zone, you could use the Ideal Loads Air System. Otherwise, place the dummy zone in parallel with other zones on the demand side of the air system that the air handler serves (air handler is on the supply side).
Aaron Boranian's avatar
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Aaron Boranian
answered 2021-12-09 11:08:56 -0500
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Another option might be to use the Unitary Equipment's Sensible Load Request EMS actuator.

shorowit's avatar shorowit (2021-12-09 13:00:59 -0500) edit

Great point, @shorowit! That would also work if the unitary system was serving just the dummy zone, similar to the Ideal Air Loads System approach (unless you used this approach to set the total load request of all zones served).

Aaron Boranian's avatar Aaron Boranian (2021-12-09 13:11:41 -0500) edit
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No, I don't believe there is something similar for air loops. Plant loops are closed systems whose load simply depends on supply/return temperature and flow rate, as opposed to AHUs which are subject to return air conditions that fluctuate based on internal gains specified elsewhere, in addition to ventilation requirements and infiltration which impart loads on the AHU based on fluctuating ambient weather conditions.

ericmartinpe's avatar
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ericmartinpe
answered 2021-12-09 10:12:56 -0500
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