I'm doing a research how a green wall can lower the heat demand of a building. I've read that Energy+ can simulate a green wall, but I'm still figuring out how I can do this in OpenStudio. I can't use the material RoofVegetation, since it's only correct for horizontal surfaces. What's the best and the right way to make a material for a green wall?
On OpenStudio Application / EMS support ... too many characters for a follow-up comment.
The OpenStudio Application doesn't provide support for all OpenStudio API features, notably EMS objects (e.g. sensors, actuators). CTRL-F "EMS" and "EnergyManagementSystem" in the SDK classes. This is discussed here and here. As a solution, the first link provides an example of OpenStudio API/Ruby scripting (towards adding an EMS program). Another example here.
There is no issue moving from/to:
... new EMS parameters will be preserved - simply not visible when using the OpenStudio Application.
There's a mention that the OpenStudio Application supports the creation of EMS programs. One does find code commits to that effect, but I'm unsure if/when these are/were available (I'm hoping that someone can clear that up).
EDIT: Here (line 1037) is a fairly straightforward OpenStudio-based EMS program predicting/resetting GSHP loop outlet temperatures (distributed as part of OpenStudio-Standards, mentioned here). The single EMS sensor (loop inlet temperature) is set here (line 1024), while the EMS actuator (resulting outlet temperature) is set here (line 1030). The EMS program is only 3-lines long, with the actual EMS equation developed here (line 1041) in a single line. The EMS program is added here (line 1047). That's about the simplest (and well documented) example I can find of using the OpenStudio API to set up an EMS program (holding an equation).
I suggest you email the paper authors to see if they'd be willing to share the actual IDF. That would be of great help to you, IMO.
Thank you for clarifying! I'm definitely not an expert in using the EMS function. This paper does explain what to put in the EMS functions, but I'm still not sure how to do it anyways. In the examples you send me, they never use a formula inside EMS, while the paper I'm referring to, does. Can you please clarify what I exactly should put as my actuators & sensors?
"[...] not an expert in using the EMS function". Few users are. There are definitely learning curves (to both EMS itself, and its deployment using the OpenStudio API). I edited my answer: example of an EMS program holding an equation.
Thank you so much for your help! I will definitely take a look at this example. I also already emailed the authors of the paper and hope they will be so kind to share their EMS code!
EnergyPlus 24.1.0 has a new feature that can simulate an indoor green wall using the input object IndoorLivingWall. The documentation for this is in the input output reference and the engineering reference. OpenStudio version 3.8.0, I believe, supports EnergyPlus 24.1.0. This is for an indoor green wall.
I would like to have an exterior green wall, so I can't use this... But thank you!
Or can I modify this object, so that it's accepted to use for external walls?
No, I think it was explicitly made for interior green walls.
Okay, nevermind then! ;) Thanks!
Comments
I'd look (beyond UMH) for recent attempts in harnessing EnergyPlus' EMS (e.g. here, here).
I'm still a bit confused. I don't understand where I should put the Vertical Green Façades parameters in OpenStudio/EnergyPlus. The only material that let me choose the LAI, is the material RoofVegetation, but I shouldn't use that for vertical walls.