[Bldg-sim] TRACE-double facade and PV systems?

Paul Erickson perickson at aeieng.com
Tue Nov 17 20:09:53 PST 2009


Sasa,

In response to your query I've provide some comments in the same order.


1)      TRACE cannot credibly model a double skin façade.  Any reasonable reviewer should challenge the use of this software in this application (it has many strengths that can serve you elsewhere).  There are other tools that would be more appropriate such as Energy+, IES-VE, TRNSYS, and various combinations of these using bulk air flow models in conjunction (we've even used CONTAM, TRNSYS, eQUEST together).

2)      You're probably best off modeling the PV window as a window using its published performance values (SHGC, u-value, Tvis) and using another tool to assess the output of the PV, which can be easily applied in the LEED template as a renewable energy credit.

3)      You should definitely not treat the typical floor as a single zone.  This is not an appropriate way to model a typical high rise.  You can simplify based on zone/space characteristics, but distinct thermal zone types (space utilization, perimeter vs core, orientation) should be modeled separately.  What you may choose to do would be to model the ground floor, top floor, and typical floors in between, with each of the same type of typical floor zone areas modeled together (i.e. all west façade perimeter office zones modeled as one very long floor area and wall area, all interior restrooms modeled as one large restroom, etc.).  This is possible since TRACE is non-geometric.  However, I would go back to my response to #1 if a double skin façade is being incorporated into the design.

Regards,
Paul

Paul Erickson  LEED® AP
Sustainable Practice Leader



AEI | AFFILIATED ENGINEERS, INC.
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P: 608.236.1112 | F: 608.238.2614
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From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Sasa Pantic
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 10:13 AM
To: Bldg-sim_2
Subject: [Bldg-sim] TRACE-double facade and PV systems?

Dear all,

I would kindly ask for an information please regarding TRACE v. 4.1.1; v 6.2.4

1) How can I trick TRACE to handle double facades with an imposed airflow in the air gap?
2) Any idea on how to model semi transparent PV window along with electricity generated?
3) Any general advise on modeling 56 story  building  using TRACE for LEED compliance in EA section?  e.g. should I consider zone-by-zone approach with defining all envelope, HVAC systems or treat typical floor as a single zone , perhaps?


Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Sasa


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