eQuest
Quick 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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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