Energy Modeling & Simulation Tools Flashcards
7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Energy Modeling & Simulation Tools flashcards as text
Which DOE-2 simulation engine component handles the calculation of hourly heating and cooling loads?
Answer: LOADS
The LOADS module in DOE-2 calculates space heating and cooling loads using the weighting factor method before passing results to the SYSTEMS module.
In TRACE 700, what does the 'Design Day' cooling calculation determine?
Answer: Peak cooling load used to size coils and air handlers
TRACE 700's Design Day cooling calculation finds the peak load under worst-case summer conditions to properly size HVAC components.
What is the purpose of 'parametric analysis' in energy modeling software?
Answer: To systematically vary input parameters and compare resulting energy impacts
Parametric analysis runs multiple simulations with varied inputs (e.g., insulation levels, window types) to identify which measures have the greatest energy impact.
In EnergyPlus, what object type is used to model a variable air volume (VAV) terminal unit?
Answer: AirTerminal:SingleDuct:VAV:Reheat
The AirTerminal:SingleDuct:VAV:Reheat object models a VAV box with reheat coil that varies airflow based on zone demand.
Which metric best describes how closely a simulation model matches measured building energy use?
Answer: Coefficient of Variation of Root Mean Square Error (CV-RMSE)
CV-RMSE normalizes the root mean square error by the mean measured value, providing a percentage-based accuracy metric for model calibration.
In Revit + OpenStudio workflows, what is the primary function of the gbXML export?
Answer: To transfer building geometry and space data from Revit to energy analysis tools
gbXML (Green Building XML) is an interoperability format that carries building geometry, space boundaries, and construction data from BIM tools to energy simulation engines.
What is the 'balance point temperature' concept used for in building energy analysis?
Answer: The outdoor temperature at which a building requires neither heating nor cooling
The balance point temperature is the outdoor temperature at which internal and solar gains exactly offset heat losses, below which heating is needed and above which cooling may be required.