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Simulate two different models in one simulation

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:25 pm
by Marc Jensen
Hi Guys,

Time to get your thinking caps on! :ugeek:


Ok so this is what we want to do:

Project has 4 buildings,

We do not have enough time for one person to model each, so we want to have two or three people modelling different buildings then we combine them all to run them as a combined simulation as there is the possibility to have a central heating/energy management system.

Now my question is this:

Can we copy an entire project with constructions, profiles and templates into another project and when we press simulate it runs both buildings simultaneously with their allocated constructions etc. so we can see the combined energy usage and savings etc.


Now has anyone done this before? I know there is a wizard tool to import constructions etc but can you use it to import everything!

Thanks guys!

Re: Simulate two different models in one simulation

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:35 am
by RossThompson87
Hi,

I am not sure this is as straight forward as it could be in IES.

To combine two models I would:

Export the GEM file to transfer the geometry.

Then I think in the new version of IES you can copy over the constructions with a wizard.

Then unfortunately you would need to reapply templates, constructions macroflo etc.

Its a bit long winded, but if you give it a go I'm sure you would be able to do the bulk of it in less than an hour.

I hope this helps.

Ross

Re: Simulate two different models in one simulation

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:08 am
by Complex Potential
Hi Marc

If you look in the ModelIT help PDF under section 9.13 it describes the "Merge Model Data" function (under the ModelIT menu in IES). If you combine it with the stuff Ross described above then I think it could take some of the leg work out of the remainder, but it may take a bit of reading and experimentation to ensure you understand its limitations etc.

CP

Re: Simulate two different models in one simulation

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:51 pm
by Marc Jensen
Hi Guys,

Thanks, This is an area where IES really needs to look into improving. Teamwork on models seems to be pretty normal these days.

I might look into that and see.

Re: Simulate two different models in one simulation

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:08 pm
by crduggin
I would merge model as suggested above. Then use the export system function in ApHVAC to get the HVAC systems into one HVAC file (I assume you are using ApHVAC). Usually we create the geometries separately, and bring them into one model using the export GEM function. I think the rest is really better handled once all the buildings are in one model.