Building Simulation Experience

[Jim Kelsey]

Hello simulation world!

My name is Jim Kelsey and I am one of the co-founders of KW Energy
Engineering. My partner Kevin Warren and I are both graduates of the
University of Wisconsin Solar Energy Lab. So we've both been up to our ears in
TRNSYS. While I was there I used the TRNSYS building simulation model to
assess the effects of ASHRAE Std 90.1 on commercial buildings. To do it I had
to develop more accurate slab heat loss models and a model to simulate a
water-loop heat pump system.

More recently my simulation experience is with VisualDOE (2.1E) and PowerDOE
(2.2). We just got our copy of PowerDOE & I have spent some time with it but
have not yet tried anything very complex. I can say that it has some pretty
nice features: I like the way that it displays the building in 3D, has a
somewhat customizable front end, and it seems to to live up to the claim that
it has a superset of DOE 2 features. But the BIG FEATURE that I was excited
about - the ability to automate parametric analysis - is not yet implemented.
Also I can confirm reports from the field that it crashes very frequently. In
its defense, so far it has not corrupted any files so you only lose what has
been done since the last save. But it is a big headache that needs to be
solved. So is Jeff Hirsch on this list? Any defense Jeff?

Other simulation experience:
* Energy-10:  I've used this on a project to look at envelope and equipment
selection for a new retreat center in New York State.
* Bin modeling: Scores of bin models for energy audits. I also developed an
automated TC 4.7 method bin model for a utility client to analyze energy
efficiency measures.
* Refrigeration: I developed some spreadsheet models for assessing energy
savings from floating head pressure at a winery, grocery stores, and a cold
storage facility.

Enough shameless self promotion! I'm looking forward to hearing from other
folks on the list.

- Jim

--
Jim Kelsey
KW Energy Engineering
(510) 834-6420
http://www.kw-energy.com




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