[Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files

David Reddy david.j.reddy1 at gmail.com
Tue Mar 29 12:53:08 PDT 2011


This is an interesting topic, and seems to be getting more discussion 
lately (see also [Bldg-sim] "historic weather files for model 
calibration" topic from late last year).

There are a number of issues, besides formatting data to one of the 
DOE-2 or other weather utility formats, that should be considered.  I 
think the biggest are:

a) Cleaning the source weather data (i.e. removing extraneous points and 
filling gaps).  Depending on the location, even NCDC weather data 
suffers from data quality issues.
b) Generating solar radiation data for the site.  If measured global 
horiz is available, estimating diffuse and subsequently DN component is 
relatively straight-forward using various correlations that have been 
developed from measured data.

The DOE-2 and some other weather utility tools are capable of generating 
solar, but I would review the algorithms used to make sure they are 
appropriate for your site.  As many pointed out, Excel would be an ideal 
interface for creating weather files.  I tried to use Excel at first, 
and after encountering the issues described above, I decided to use a 
programming language (MATLAB) that I could implement all the required 
operations (i.e. INPUT: Raw, unprocessed NCDC data; OUTPUT: TMY2 format 
w/ solar for use with PKATPE utility).

- David

On 3/29/2011 11:31 AM, Varkie C Thomas wrote:
>
> Someone (like Joe Huang, Jeff Hirsch) should write a program to read 
> the Excel file and write it into a text file using the NCDC 80-column 
> format and then convert it back to "weather.bin".  It would be very 
> useful.
>
> You can order NCDC weather file (they will send you any 10 consecutive 
> years) for about $200 and use PKAFT to convert to "weather.bin".  The 
> webpage http://bepan.info/weather shows how to convert NCDC packed 
> 80-column TEXT DATA to "weather.bin" and back to TEXT TABLE which can 
> then read into EXCEL  See 9 - Weather _NCDC.tpe to DOE2.bin to 
> Tables-Charts 
> <http://bepan.info/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/9_-_Weather___NCDCtpe_to_DOE2bin_to_Tables-Charts.34093358.pdf>
>
> *The excel file can be saved as text file but I don't think PKAFT can 
> convert it back to "weather.bin".*  The NCDC format has been changed.  
> Example: the DP column in NCDC is now missing and other calculated 
> results have been added and all the columns have been rearranged.
>
> I have just added a zipped file */CONVERT EDITED EXCEL FILE 
> "Weather.xls" BACK TO "Weather.bin"/* 
> <http://bepan.info/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Jeddah08.87105445.zip> to 
> the website http://bepan.info/weather showing my crazy attempt at 
> converting the Excel file back to "weather.bin".  It is 9 MB. Double 
> click on it.  It produced a "weather.bin" that was 145 KB instead of 
> 146 KB and I get a "end of file" message.  I decided not to figure out 
> what was missing and gave up.  It would be quicker and easier to write 
> a program that does the conversion.
>
> Under http://bepan.info/engg-calcs you will find Excel psychrometric 
> programs.
>
> Varkie
>
>
>
> Hi Rohini,all,
> I actually haven't had too much success with the .epw method.Using the 
> guide that Ashu had linked me seems quite foolproof now that I have 
> obtained the add-in (psych.xla) that Paul referred me to. However, the 
> excel template that Jeff Hirsch (from DOE2) made is still missing. I 
> think if it could be found, my problem would be resolved.
> I will try the .epw method again, but with the type of data I have 
> available, I believe the .txt to .bin method would be more suitable to 
> my needs. Again, this is contingent on the fact that 
> "custom_eQuest_Weather_data.xls" can be made available.
> Thank you all for your feedback and I look forward to hearing back 
> again soon.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* R B [mailto:slv3sat at gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 29, 2011 11:31 AM
> *To:* Jonathan Chew; eQUEST Users List
> *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
> Another way might be to make a epw file if the directions for making 
> that are clearer/easier and then convert it to bin.
> -Rohini
>
> On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 9:17 AM, Jonathan Chew <jchew at twfp.com 
> <mailto:jchew at twfp.com>> wrote:
>
>     Hi Paul,
>     Thanks for the quick reply, as well as the link. That will be
>     extremely helpful. I am under the assumption then, that psych.xla
>     is needed to run the other excel file in question,
>     "Custom_eQuest_Weather_data.xls". Obtaining this excel file would
>     help me move forward.
>     Thanks again for the feedback everyone.
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>     *From:* Paul Diglio [mailto:paul.diglio at sbcglobal.net
>     <mailto:paul.diglio at sbcglobal.net>]
>     *Sent:* Tuesday, March 29, 2011 10:06 AM
>
>     *To:* Jonathan Chew; Ashu Gupta;
>     equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Jonathan:
>
>     I have pysch.xla on my machine because I purchased the Get
>     Psyched! Excel add-in.
>
>     You can download this program for a free trial from
>     KW-Engineering.  It costs $50 to purchase.  I find it very useful
>     in my investment grade audits.
>
>     Paul Diglio
>
>
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>     *From:* Jonathan Chew <jchew at twfp.com <mailto:jchew at twfp.com>>
>     *To:* Ashu Gupta <agupta at enernoc.com <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com>>;
>     "equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>"
>     <equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>>
>     *Sent:* Tue, March 29, 2011 9:53:30 AM
>     *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Hi Ashu, all,
>     Actually, thus far I have been referring to that document. In it,
>     he references a certain excel file called
>     "Custom_eQuest_Weather_data.xls" and "pysch.xla" (see attached).
>     Would you know where I could obtain this? Apparently it performs
>     some psychometric calculations relevant to reconfiguring the file.
>     Thanks again Ashu, all
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>     *From:* Ashu Gupta [mailto:agupta at enernoc.com
>     <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com>]
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 4:38 PM
>     *To:* Jonathan Chew; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Jonathan,
>
>     I think attached document will help to use PKAFT.bat.
>
>     Thanks!
>
>     Ashu
>
>     *Ashu Gupta -- Project Engineer, Energy Services*
>
>     *EnerNOC, Inc. | 2300 Clayton Rd., S480 | Concord, CA 94520*
>
>     *m: 925.775.8254 <tel:925.775.8254> | O: 925.826.1618
>     <tel:925.826.1618>*
>
>     *agupta at enernoc.com <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com> | www.enernoc.com
>     <http://www.enernoc.com/>*
>
>     *EnerNOC - get more from energy*
>
>     üPlease consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>
>     *From:*Jonathan Chew [mailto:jchew at twfp.com <mailto:jchew at twfp.com>]
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 1:27 PM
>     *To:* Ashu Gupta; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Hi Ashu, all,
>
>     Thanks again for the quick reply. Yes, I am aware that there are
>     databases available. However, my issue is that the client (a
>     university) has asked to provide an energy model based on local
>     data. In fact, the weather station they recommended is actually
>     the on-campus station.
>
>     Therefore, we do have to provide a custom .bin weather file. As
>     previously discussed, the issue right now is to format my edited
>     weather data to work in eQuest. Again, it would be the 'User
>     Selected' tab in the schematic design wizard (shown in attached
>     screenshot) that would provide the weather file representing my
>     custom weather data for Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
>
>     Thanks again Ashu, all
>
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>     *From:*Ashu Gupta [mailto:agupta at enernoc.com
>     <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com>]
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 4:11 PM
>     *To:* Jonathan Chew
>     *Subject:* RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Jonathan,
>
>     You have to download the weather files (epw file) from below link
>     in and to convert it into .bin format that eQuest require. I am
>     checking the Waterloo weather file but I could not found here. So,
>     you can take the weather file of nearest city which is nearly same
>     weather from the below link.
>
>     http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/cfm/weather_data3.cfm/region=4_north_and_central_america_wmo_region_4/country=3_canada/cname=CANADA
>
>     Thanks!
>
>     Ashu
>
>     *Ashu Gupta -- Project Engineer, Energy Services*
>
>     *EnerNOC, Inc. | 2300 Clayton Rd., S480 | Concord, CA 94520*
>
>     *m: 925.775.8254 <tel:925.775.8254> | O: 925.826.1618
>     <tel:925.826.1618>*
>
>     *agupta at enernoc.com <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com> | www.enernoc.com
>     <http://www.enernoc.com/>*
>
>     *EnerNOC - get more from energy*
>
>     üPlease consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>
>     *From:*Jonathan Chew [mailto:jchew at twfp.com <mailto:jchew at twfp.com>]
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 11:55 AM
>     *To:* Jonathan Chew; Ashu Gupta;
>     equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Here is previously mentioned image attachment.
>
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>     *From:*Jonathan Chew
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 2:54 PM
>     *To:* 'Ashu Gupta'; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Hi Ashu,
>
>     Thanks for the quick reply. I think my problem might have been
>     lost in translation. To help clarify, I have included a
>     screenshot. Basically, the root of what I need to do is have the
>     'User Selected' weather file be a weather file for a specific city
>     (that happens to not be in the doe.com/download/weather
>     <http://doe.com/download/weather> site. The city is Waterloo,
>     Ontario, Canada).
>
>     What I have done up to this point is the exchange data in a
>     pre-existing weather file (i.e. Seattle, Washington) with data of
>     my own (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) using excel. The problem now is
>     to get this new weather data to work inside of eQuest.
>
>     I understand that I need to use the PKAFT.bat program taken from
>     http://doe2.com/index_Wth.html (bottom of the page). I'm not
>     entirely sure how to prepare my data to be converted using PKAFT,
>     and also, I do not know how to use PKAFT.bat properly.
>
>     Thanks again Ashu, all.
>
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>     *From:*Ashu Gupta [mailto:agupta at enernoc.com
>     <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com>]
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 1:46 PM
>     *To:* Jonathan Chew; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     /Hi Jonathan,/
>
>     //
>
>     /If you are in detail mode then you have to just replace your .bin
>     weather file by old one in your computer C drive and relink the
>     location of weather file in Project Data tab (attached) then your
>     weather data will automatically replaced./
>
>     //
>
>     /I hope it helps you./
>
>     //
>
>     /Thanks!/
>
>     /Ashu/
>
>     //
>
>     */Ashu Gupta -- Project Engineer, Energy Services/*
>
>     */EnerNOC, Inc. | 2300 Clayton Rd., S480 | Concord, CA 94520/*
>
>     */m: 925.775.8254 <tel:925.775.8254> | O: 925.826.1618
>     <tel:925.826.1618>/*
>
>     */agupta at enernoc.com <mailto:agupta at enernoc.com> | www.enernoc.com
>     <http://www.enernoc.com/>/*
>
>     */EnerNOC - get more from energy/*
>
>     /ü//Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.///
>
>     //
>
>     *From:*equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org>] *On Behalf Of
>     *Jonathan Chew
>     *Sent:* Monday, March 28, 2011 10:35 AM
>     *To:* equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>     <mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>     *Subject:* [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
>
>     Hi,
>
>     I'm working on a calibrated energy model using eQuest. The client
>     has specified that they would like weather data for this model to
>     be taken recently from a local weather station.
>
>     I have hit somewhat of a wall so far. I have managed to open an
>     existing .bin weather file in excel, and replaced the existing
>     data with that of my own. However, I cannot get PKAFT.bat (from
>     DOE utilities) to work. I'm wondering if anyone can point out the
>     lines of text in the PKAFT console that that I should change, and
>     how I should change them.
>
>     I suspect the cause is this: after I edit the data in excel and
>     import the data back into notepad, the spaces in the original
>     document are not preserved. Could anyone show me a better why to
>     do this?
>
>     Any feedback is much appreciated.
>
>     Thanks.
>
>     */Jonathan/* */Chew/*
>
>     Mechanical Engineering Services
>
>     *The Walter Fedy Partnership*
>
>     Phone: 519-576-2150 <tel:519-576-2150> x236
>     Fax: 519-576-5499 <tel:519-576-5499>
>     Web: www.twfp.com <http://www.twfp.com/>
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> -- 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Rohini Brahme, Ph.D. LEED AP
> Building energy analysis, tool development, and training
> Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
>
>
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