[Susanneb]

Hi everybody,

I would like to include a simple cost analysis into my parametric model. That means using cost as one of my objectives in the optimizination.
Are there any example files available for jEPlus+EA that include cost effectiveness?

Would be great if you could share your experience with me?

Thanks a lot.

Susanne

[ivank]

Hi Susanne,

I replied to you on Unmethours forum. Just in case you search for an answer here first, I'm repeating my comment here as well.

You can specify costs in E+ by following examples mentioned in Jason's comment. However, to use them in the jEPlus+EA as an objective you'll need to extract them from SQL. jEPlus+EA objectives can be defined in rvx (or rvi) file. Structure of the rvx file can be found here. You can see that you can apply mathematical operations when defining objectives. I assume you need a total cost which means you'll sum up individual cost outputs (extracted from sql) in objectives formula field.

Cheers,
Ivan

p.s. Jason's comment:

There are some examples just covering the EnergyPlus side that are included with the EnergyPlus installation. In the ExampleFiles subdirectory where EnergyPlus is installed are two files that cover different aspects of cost effectiveness. The first 5ZoneCostEst.idf shows how the ComponentCost:LineItem, ComponentCost:Reference, and ComponentCost:Adjustment objects work. These objects can be used to come up with first cost estimates for building components. You still need to provide values but the costs can be expressed as on a per area, per item, per output capacity, per volume, etc.. basis. This allows changes to the building model to be captured as changes in the first costs. For operating and lifecycle costs, the 5ZoneEconomicTariffAndLifeCycleCosts.idf file in the same directory is a good example. It shows how to use the UtilityCost objects to describe a variety of tariffs as well as using the LIfeCycleCost objects to describe other recurring and nonrecurring costs.

[Susanneb]

Thanks again, Invan,

Ohhh - I was not aware that JEPLUS Forum and unmethours are the same people;-) I see, the community if very small:-D

I had a look to energyplus examples and I've worked with SQL extraction. So, I think I can manage. I'll try it today. If I have any problem I will post again;-)

Cheers,
Susanne

[ivank]

Hi Susanne,

well, jEPlus forum and Unmethours are not exactly the same people, however, you are right; community is small so the most of us are regularly checking (and use) various forums, groups (yahoo, linkedin) and mailing lists.

Cheers,
Ivan