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IBM / rl-testbed-for-energyplus

Reinforcement Learning Testbed for Power Consumption Optimization using EnergyPlus
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Baseline model cannot controll east zone temperature #78

Closed ZHANG-QINGANG closed 2 years ago

ZHANG-QINGANG commented 2 years ago

Hi,

I tested the baseline model 2ZoneDataCenterHVAC_wEconomizer-baseline by using E+ 9.3.0 (windows 10). The weather data is USA_IL_Chicago-OHare.725300_TMY2.epw. However, the east zone temperature cannot be well controlled, as shown in the following figure: image

What are the possible reasons for this problem?

Thank you.

ZHANG-QINGANG commented 2 years ago

FYI.

I found the 9.3.0 IDF file used "Approach Temperature" for the ITE Object of the east zone. The 8.8.0 version didn't use it. The "Approach Temperature" is correct and has been tested by Sun et al.

But it seems it is not compatible with the cooling system of the baseline model. The east zone temperature can be well controlled if remove this "Approach Temperature".

So far, I have not found the reason why errors appear if adding "Approach Temperature".

image

antoine-galataud commented 2 years ago

Hi @ZHANG-QINGANG,

Thanks for the report and the investigation.

EnergyPlus models with version > 9 were automatically generated using IDFVersionUpdater tool. I find it strange that FlowControlWithApproachTemperatures was chosen during the upgrade since the default is FlowFromSystem according to 9.2 documentation

According to the docs, there are a few pre-requisites for FlowControlWithApproachTemperatures calculation method to work:

If FlowControlWithApproachTemperatures is chosen, Supply and Return approach temperature should be defined to indicate the temperature difference due to the air distribution.The inputs of Air Inlet Connection Type, Design Recirculation Fraction and Recirculation Function of Loading and Supply Temperature Curve Name are ignored. For multiple ITE objects defined for one zone, the same calculation method should apply. The FlowControlWithApproachTemperatures only applies to ITE zones with single duct VAV terminal unit. Other return air heat gains from window or lights are not allowed when FlowControlWithApproachTemperatures is chosen.

Anyway, if using FlowFromSystem works I don't see why we wouldn't use it. I will create a PR for that.