An understanding of the basic inputs required for describing a model suitable for thermal simulation.

Task

Instructions

1. Study details of model to be built.

Download the ESP-r Cookbook (Beginner's Guide) from the ESRU website http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Programs/ESP-r.htm. The client specification and a discussion about the model are found on pages 3-6. Read the section The Client Specification and review the dimensions in Figure 1. Transfer the plans and section dimensions onto your own sketch.

Next read the sections Model planning and Model coordinates and study the information in Figure 2 (you will need this when you define the zone geometry).

2. Enter zone details.

Go to the chapter Building a model and follow the series of instructions to create a new model. You might find it easier to print this chapter to avoid having to switch between the PDF document and ESP-r on screen. Those who are already proficient with climate files and databases can scan past the Review of climate patterns section. As discussed in the Locating constructions for our model section, make a note of the constructions you want to use from those available in the default constructions database. Next focus on the 'Zone composition tactics' section of the Cookbook and the pages that follow which cover creating and attributing the reception zone and then the examination room. The instructions will guide you through each step.

Read each section before doing the task. Do the tasks in the order they are presented in the text. Take your time - ESP-r doesn't have many undo options.

3. Link zones and complete model.

Next focus on the Model topology section. This creates the links between adjacent surfaces in the reception and examination rooms. Hint: the interface steps quickly through the surfaces that it finds to match but pauses when it needs your confirmation. Skip the section Geometry revisited. The section Schedules in the Cookbook is incomplete. However, the details of the schedules (occupants, lighting, small power) can be found in Figure 3 and Figure 4 as well as the discussion in the section How the building is used on page 5.

Your next task is to use the zone constructions facility of the Project Manager to write out the thermophysical details associated with the surface construction attributes. Select each zone in turn and create from attributes. After the information has been collected use the save option to write out the details.

4. Check the model.

At this point you will have a model with full zone geometry, operations and construction attribution. Before running your first simulation, generate a QA report to review the contents of the model. The menu sequence is: Project manager -> browse/edit/simulate -> reporting -> QA report -> all items -> detailed file -> attribution:operation. Accept the suggested file name (and keep a note of the name so you can look at its contents via a text editor). The QA report forms part of your submission.

5. Undertake a simulation and analyse results.

Prior to running a simulation, define the assessment period via Model definition -> simulation -> simulation presets. Name the simulation set 'March'. Set the simulation period for the month of March and the timesteps to one per hour. The name of the simulation results file shown in this menu is based on your model name. Accept the suggested start-up days.

Assuming there were no errors in your model, run an integrated simulation. The simulator will be passed the simulation parameters you just defined so accept them. Because there is no environmental control in your model you will probably find that the predicted temperatures are somewhat uncomfortable. Capture a screen shot of a graph of ambient and zone dry bulb temperatures to include in your submission.

The last task is to implement an environmental control strategy in the model as ideal zone controls. Use the Model definition -> zone control facility to define heating to 20°C during the period of 8h00 - 18h00 on weekdays and 10°C at all hours on weekends. Use an initial heating capacity of 2000W and capture a screen shot of a graph of ambient and zone dry bulb temperatures to include in your submission.