eQuestQuick Energy Simulation Tool

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.

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

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.

eQuest Main Menu

Building Creation Wizard

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

Project/Site/Utility• The first things that eQuest requests from the user is:

– Building address, – Typical time table, and– Utility rate structure.

Project/Site/Utility• The first things that eQuest requests from the user is:

– Building address, – Typical time table, and– Utility rate structure.

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

Developing the Model

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

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,

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.

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

Building Envelope Construction

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

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

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.

Custom Window and Door Placement

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.

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

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

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

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

Profiles

Developing the Model

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

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

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

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)

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

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

Developing the Model

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

Heating Primary Equipment• The heating system type is first selected

– Number of boilers and pumps – The configuration

• The boiler specifications can then be selected.

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

Now that the construction of the model is done…

eQuest Main Menu

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

Energy Efficiency Wizard• The EEM Run Details wizard allows the user to

change the specification, in this case the insulation values of the wall

eQuest Main Menu

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