A Night at the Energy Modeling Improv

I recently attended a presentation on energy modeling. To my surprise, upon arrival one of the presenters was wearing a tall black pointed hat with a brim, and on the hat were gold crescent moons and stars – not a typical presenter at a lunch and learn seminar. The event was billed as “A Night at the Energy Modeling Improv”.

The “Wizard” (thus the hat) explained that we would be participating in an energy modeling exercise using the “Design Wizard” component the Quick Energy Simulation Tools software, more commonly referred to as “eQuest”. Energy modeling is an important component of building design, given today’s more stringent building codes. Energy modeling takes place during the schematic design phase of a project, and is an important tool in moving a building’s design forward. Energy modeling typically utilizes complex software, can be very time-consuming, and is generally thought of as being the bailiwick of the mechanical engineer. The eQuest software was developed by an engineer who wanted a quick, easy way to perform building modeling within several variables.

The Wizard explained we would be playing what they call “the Wizard Game”. He divided us into two groups. He gave us basic programming for the building including square feet and layout, number of stories, window information, R value of insulation for roof and for walls, and orientation. With the co-presenter operating the eQuest software for two different scenarios, our two teams competed against each other, with the software showing on a projection screen so we could see the results. Each team was given several choices of how to decrease energy usage. As each team made their selection of several variables, the co-presenter entered the data into eQuest so we could immediately see what, if any, energy savings was possible with our choices. Two choices stood out: one team chose to upgrade wall insulation, which didn’t cost much but also didn’t make much difference in energy savings. The other team chose to utilize daylighting, which increased electricity savings quite significantly.

That first game gave us a taste for the possibilities of choices that would help win the second game. For the second game, each team started by selecting a building footprint (out of 5-6 choices) and orientation (north-south or east-west). Other choices for the building envelope were square footage of window to wall ratio, glass type, sun shades, wall insulation, and roof insulation. Our team picked a better building footprint than the other team, but we stumbled a bit on glass selection, going for a low-E glazing. The Wizard explained that low-E really doesn’t do much for keeping heat out of a building in Texas, where we deal more with cooling than with heating (low-E works better in cold climates). We also could see what an important selection daylight harvesting is for providing energy savings for a building.

The eQuest Energy Wizard can be used by anyone, and is helpful in providing immediate feedback in modeling strategies during the design stage. This means energy modeling is no longer only something the mechanical engineer is involved in, but by using this simple, free software, anyone can obtain expertise in the concepts behind successfully modeling a given building. Just ask Mr. Wizard!

The eQuest software can be downloaded at www.doe2.com/equest and there is also a downloadable tutorial.

The DOE-2 software was developed by James J. Hirsch & Associates (JJH) in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), with LBNL DOE-2 work performed mostly under funding from the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) and other work performed mostly under funding from a wide range of industry organizations, JJH and LBNL. The site, however, is not sponsored or endorsed by either USDOE or LBNL, and use of “DOE” in names in this site does not imply any endorsement or recommendation of any listed products or services by the United States Government, LBNL, or anyone else.