Modelica-based modeling and simulation of district cooling systems: A case study

Hinkelman, Kathryn; Wang, Jing; Zuo, Wangda; Gautier, Antoine; Wetter, Michael; Fan, Chengliang; Long, Nicholas

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.118654

Title: Modelica-based modeling and simulation of district cooling systems: A case study

Journal Article · 12 February 2022 · Applied Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.118654 · OSTI ID:1847269

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Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); Guangzhou Univ. (China)
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

While equation-based object-oriented modeling language Modelica can evaluate practical energy improvements for district cooling systems, few have adopted Modelica for this type of large-scale thermo-fluid system. Further, to our best knowledge, district cooling modeling studies have yet to include hydraulics in piping networks alongside plant models featuring realistic mechanical systems and controls. These are critical details to include when looking to make energy and control improvements in many physical system installations. To fill these gaps, this study released new open-source district cooling models at the Modelica Buildings Library and leveraged these models for a real-world case study at the University of Colorado Boulder. Here, the site includes six buildings connected to a central chiller plant featuring a waterside economizer. Several energy saving strategies are pursued based on the validated model, including control setpoint optimization, equipment modification, and pump setpoint adjustments. Results indicate that a combination of the studied measures can save the campus annually 84.6 MWh of energy, 8.9% of electricity costs, 58.0 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, while the waterside economizer cuts down chillers’ run times by 201 days/year, reducing maintenance costs and extending chiller life.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Advanced Manufacturing Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231; AC36-08GO28308; EE0009139

OSTI ID:: 1847269

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5500-82277; MainId:83050; UUID:cb305e52-52f2-411f-bebf-4dab0daee460; MainAdminID:63965

Journal Information:: Applied Energy, Journal Name: Applied Energy Vol. 311

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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