- Author
-
Kelly, G. E.
|
Park, C.
|
Barnett, J. P.
- Title
- Using Emulators/Testers for Commissioning EMCS Software, Operator Training, Algorithm Development, and Tuning Local Control Loops.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
-
ASHRAE Transactions,
Vol. 97,
No. 1,
[pages unknown],
1991
- Sponsor
- Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NY-91-9-1,
- Keywords
-
computers
|
simulation
|
computer programs
|
case histories
|
training
|
algorithms
- Identifiers
- emulator/tester
- Abstract
- Unlike a building simulation program, which is normally run on a single computer as quickly as the computer can process the instructions, a building emulator/EMCS tester (emulator/tester) emulates a building and its mechanical systems in real time. The emulator/tester is connected to the energymanagement and control system (EMCS) in place of the EMCS's sensors and actuators. The EMCS then controls the simulated building as it would a real building, while the emulator/tester can be used to evaluate the performance of the EMCS. As a part of a joint research effort conducted by participants of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Annex 17 committee, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a second-generation emulator/tester. To validate the emulator/tester, two studies using a small office building were performed that compared the results obtained using both simulation and emulation. Both studies showed good agreement between the simulation and emulation results. In addition, an exercise using the emulator/tester to tune a cooling-coil control loop was carried out using two different tuning methods. Information is also presented on how the emulator/tester can be used for training, commissioning EMCS software, and developing new control algorithms. These and other applications should encourage the widespread use of these versatile tools in future.