Parametric Analysis (Energy/Economics)

TDG has designed, managed and/or conducted many parametric simulation studies of typical buildings in the US and worldwide as part of either energy policy, code, or technology studies.

Capabilities & Services

Some studies have assessed specific technologies, such as daylighting (Minnesota) or external shading (India). Other studies have used parametric analyses to help determine appropriate stringency levels for energy codes or standards in the US (Standards 90.1 and 90.2) and internationally. Worldwide, we have conducted such parametric analyses in seven countries: Egypt, Vietnam, Jamaica, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia. 

Most recently, TDG has assisted Egypt and Vietnam conduct extensive energy and economic parametric analyses of typical office, hotel, and apartment buildings to help provide a basis for developing Energy Efficiency Building Codes. In Egypt, we trained an in-country team of analysts who conducted the parametric simulations with review and feedback from us. In Vietnam, we conducted the parametric analyses ourselves and prepared a report describing the methodology and results.

Special Tools for Parametric Analysis

We have developed several special tools to use with parametric analyses, either to analyze specific technologies or to simplify the overall analysis process. For example, we have developed:

• DOE2Parm:  A windows-based parametric processor package that simplifies the parametric use of DOE-2.

• EZPlusParm: A similar windows-based parametric processor package that simplifies the parametric use of Energy Plus.

• Thermal comfort and natural ventilation:  We have worked with Joe Huang as he developed a function to imbed in DOE-2 that permits the analysis of effective temperatures in non-conditioned spaces, the analysis of related thermal comfort conditions, and the application of simple natural ventilation strategies for opening windows during appropriate outdoor and indoor thermal conditions. Developed for a recent project in Egypt.

• Radiance Parametric analyses of daylighting:  We have developed an extensive script-based capability for using the state-of-the-art Radiance imaging program to conduct thousands of parametric views of spaces within buildings. This capability allows us to analyze lighting and daylighting effectiveness in detail, and to also display the visual impacts of changes on the visual quality and comfort of the spaces. We have four dual-processor Linux workstations that can simultaneously generate Radiance images, and we have developed script techniques for all aspects of image generation and post-processing in order to assess and display variations in daylighting availability as space features change, such as window head height, glazing type, external shading, Venetian blinds,  partition height, and electric lighting options. Examples of this capability can be viewed at our www.EcoAdvisor.com website under daylighting > distribution > geometry / or windows / or interiors.

Partners:  We have collaborated with several modelers in this field. One of our strategic partners, Joe Huang, has developed DrawBDL, a widely used tool for visualizing DOE-2 input files.
 

Example Parametric Analysis Projects - International

Indian Energy Efficiency Building Code, Analyses of External Shading Impacts:  TDG is currently participating in an energy efficiency code project in India with IIEC and others. As a part of this work we are conducting parametric simulations that focus on the benefits of external shading of windows with variation in climate, orientation, window-to-wall ratio, and glass properties such as solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and visible light transmission (VLT).

Egyptian Energy Efficiency Building Code, Energy & Economic Analyses: TDG is leading an International Consultant (IC) team that provides training to a team of Egyptian analysts who are learning to use DOE-2.1E and life-cycle cost methods. They are conducting detailed parametric energy and economic study of energy measures on typical residential and commercial buildings in support of the Egyptian energy code development project. TDG and the IC team have designed and implemented a comprehensive parametric processing package for use by the Egyptian team. The project is for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Egyptian Energy Code Working Group and IC team members Joe Huang, Moncef Krarti, and Marlin Addison. (2001-2003).

Vietnam Energy Efficiency Commercial Building Code, Energy & Economic Analyses: TDG is leading an International Consultant (IC) team that is using DOE-2.1E to develop parametric energy analyses for typical Vietnamese buildings. TDG is also providing training to a team of Vietnamese analysts who are learning to use DOE-2.1E and life-cycle cost methods to conduct detailed parametric energy and economic study of energy measures on typical commercial buildings in support of the Vietnam energy code development project. TDG and the IC team have designed and implemented a comprehensive parametric processing package for use by the Vietnamese team. For the Vietnam Ministry of industry and The World Bank and in collaboration with the Hanoi Architectural University, Enerteam (in HCMC), and IC team member Joe Huang.

Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, Energy & Economic Analyses: Designed detailed work plan and provided technical oversight for parametric energy and economic study of energy measures on typical office buildings in support of energy code project. Analysis work was done by an Ivorian team using CODYBA and DOE-2.1D. For ESMAP, the World Bank.

Jamaica, West Indies, Energy & Economic Analyses: Designed detailed work plan and provided technical oversight for parametric study of impacts of energy measures on typical local office buildings. Extensive local costs developed and parametric economic analyses conducted. Analysis work done by Jamaican engineers using ASEAM2D (selected analyses done on DOE-2). For ESMAP, the World Bank.

Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, Parametric Energy Studies of Large Office Buildings: Developed building descriptions to match local construction and conducted parametric energy analyses of architectural, lighting, daylighting and HVAC measures. Analysis in support of energy code development indicated potential energy reductions of 20% to 25%. Economic analysis performed for Malaysia. With LBL, in-country professionals, and technical review committees for USAID.

Example Parametric Analysis Projects - US

Daylight Assessment: Designed complete process for assessing potential impacts of the use of various levels of daylighting technology for all buildings within the service territory of the Northern States Power (NSP) utility. Developed and accomplished DOE-2.1E analyses of daylighting use in several building types, and applied the results to both existing and new buildings within the NSP service territory. Imbedded the results in a user-interactive, macro-driven Excel spreadsheet to allow NSP analysts to examine the impacts of alternative assumptions about daylighting use. With The Weidt Group and The Regional Daylighting Center of the University of Minnesota and for NSP. 

 

Last edited 24 Nov 04