eQuest Quick Energy Simulation Tool

1. eQuestQuick Energy Simulation Tool

2. Main Points • eQuest is a tool from the Department of Energy. • http://www.doe2.com/eQUEST/ • It takes the difficult interface of the more common and helpful DOE-2 and simplifies it. • The learning curve with eQuest is much smaller than with the DOE-2 program. • eQuest is able to model a multilevel building and all the different loads.

3. Energy Conservation • eQuest has a function where Energy Efficiency Measures* can be created and manipulated to see the resulting changes to a model. • eQuest also has a life cycle cost analysis tool for each EEM applied to the model. * EEM is another name for ECM, or Energy Conservation Measure

4. ESCO Analysis • eQuest also has the opportunity to input several different utility bill rates and structures to find the annual cost difference for changing ESCOs. • Utility rates can be complicated, and eQuest is equipped to handle the most complex billing structures.

5. eQuest Main Menu

6. Building Creation Wizard • The opening Design Development Wizard has several options: • Project/Site/Utility • Edit Building Shell • Edit Air-Side System • HW Plant Equipment

7. Project/Site/Utility • The first things that eQuest requests from the user is: • Building address, • Typical time table, and • Utility rate structure.

8. Project/Site/Utility • The first things that eQuest requests from the user is: • Building address, • Typical time table, and • Utility rate structure.

9. Utility Charges(both Gas and Electric) • Utility bills can be complex with a multitude of charges. eQuest allows for the user to input: • A standard fixed rate • A blocked charge rate • Customer charges • Demand rates • Combined rates

10. Developing the Model • The opening Design Development Wizard has several options: • Project/Site/Utility • Edit Building Shell • Edit Air-Side System • HW Plant Equipment

11. Building Shell Components • The building is constructed by first giving the program several values: • Building Type, • A rough estimate of the area, • The number of floors, both above grade and below,

12. Building Footprint • The total building area can be laid out and ploted using a simple CAD drawing • Zones can also be plotted by whatever boundaries the user specifies.

13. Building Envelope Construction • Walls and roofs can be modified by selected form a list of components: • Frame type and O.C. specifications • Exterior finish • Exterior and Interior insulation • Additional insulation, commonly batt insulation • The ground floor can be constructed similarily from lists of components: • Exposure, such as Earth Contact or Adiabatic Space • Interior finish • Construction, such as slab thickness • Exterior insulation • Infiltration is also specified on this input screen

14. Building Envelope Construction

15. Interior Construction: Walls, Ceilings, Doors and Windows • Walls & Ceilings: • Insulation and finishes can be specified for interior surfaces • Doors: • Up to three different types of doors can be specified • Doors can be glass, opaque or numerous other types • Once a type of door is selected, materil components can then be selected as well • Frame type and width • Number of doors per exterior wall • This will be omitted for our design for now

16. Interior Construction: Walls, Ceilings, Doors and Windows • Windows: • Up to three different types of windows can be selected • Once a type of window, materials can be chosen, ranging from single pane to triple pane windows • Each window can have a specific size, frame type and width • Windows can be placed on exterior walls by giving a percentage of the wall that is window • This will be omitted as well

17. Custom Window and Door Placement • Windows and doors in our analysis will be placed in a custom arrangement. • This gives the design a wider range of window sizes than with the preset sizes. • It also allows us to place the doors on the appropriate exterior surface.

18. Custom Window and Door Placement

19. Several Other Options • Blinds can be applied to a set of windows or to one side of the building, as in the case of the Willet Center. • Blinds can be set to partial visibility or full transparency • Shades and overhangs can be applied to any window • Roof skylights may be applied to different zones to help customize a building. • A typical operation schedule can be given with opening and closing times.

20. Activity Areas Allocation • Areas of the building can be designated as a specific type. • An area percentage is given for each type • A ventilation requirement for each area • Areas are then given a core or perimeter assignment. • Occupancy Profile

21. Zone Group Definitions • Now that each area is defined, each area is assigned to a HVAC system and a zone • This is done based on percentage of area that system covers

22. Non-HVAC End-uses • Many different end-uses can be chosen at this point, both internal and external • Ambient, task and exterior lighting • Different equipment • Pumps • Motors • Domestic hot water

23. Lighting Loads and Profiles • Once lighting is chosen as an end-use, a new screen and inputs becomes available • Each area is given a power per area (W/sqft) of lighting • An hourly profile can also be described

24. Profiles

25. Developing the Model • The opening Design Development Wizard has several options: • Project/Site/Utility • Edit Building Shell • Edit Air-Side System • HW Plant Equipment

26. HVAC Systems • Once the HVAC system is given a name, it can begin to be defined • A cooling and heating source is selected • System type and assignment to different zones is selected

27. Temperatures and Air Flows • This page allows the user to select thermostat points for cooling and heating. • Occupied and unoccupied • Design Temperatures • A minimum air flow is also given

28. Packaged Equipment • This is where the heating and cooling elements are given specifications • The loads of the equipment and the efficiency can both be entered (heating is requested, but not present in this screenshot)

29. System Fans • The only system fan for our model is the supply fans that are built-in the two rooftop units • Power, efficiency, fan flow and outside air ratios

30. Other Specifications • Fan Schedule • Operating times during occupancy • Night time run option • Continuous run time or intermittent • HVAC Zone Heating, Vents and Economizers • Zone heating for the exhibit is baseboard heating • There are no vents in our model • An economizer can be selected to run with the RTU to help minimize energy costs

31. Developing the Model • The opening Design Development Wizard has several options: • Project/Site/Utility • Edit Building Shell • Edit Air-Side System • HW Plant Equipment

32. Heating Primary Equipment • The heating system type is first selected • Number of boilers and pumps • The configuration • The boiler specifications can then be selected.

33. HW System Control and Schedule • The maximum and minimum set temperatures for the boilers can be selected here • Schedules for typical run time for the boilers are also given

34. Now that the construction of the model is done…

35. eQuest Main Menu

36. Energy Efficiency Wizard • The EEM wizard is used by selecting a component to adjust, such as wall insulation • The program also includes a Life Cycle Cost analysis

37. Energy Efficiency Wizard • The EEM Run Details wizard allows the user to change the specification, in this case the insulation values of the wall

38. eQuest Main Menu

39. Simulated Building Performance • The program is equipped to handle multiple EEMs and a baseline. • It is able to calculate daily values for energy consumption based on the building and the HVAC system inputs. • It downloads weather data history from the internet. • Once the simulation is performed, several reports are available