TSPR Release Notes

A summary of recent updates to the TSPR tool, including new features, capabilities and improvements are documented in the Release History below. 

03.28.2023

Release 2023.1.0

New Features 

1. Support has been added for WSEC 2021

a. This includes adding example buildings for WSEC 2021

b. Multiple new inputs have been added for WSEC 2021 based on the revised code requirements. Including

i. Additional hot water loop configurations

ii. Plant loop minimum supply temperature and maximum supply temperature for WLHPs

iii. Additional inputs for modeling two speed fans: fraction flow at low speed and fraction power at low speed.

iv. Credit for proposed systems with >MERV13 filters. 

v. Supplemental heating type for heat pumps

2. Multiple chillers

a. HVAC System Performance tool previously would calculate a capacity weighted average chiller efficiency and model a single chiller in the OpenStudio model with the weighted average efficiency. This has been modified to model multiple chillers on a chilled water loop when the user specifies more than one chiller. A default chiller staging strategy is assumed and gives credit for a scenario when chillers are staged based on load. 

3. IPLV

a. Input has been added for a user to specify part load chiller efficiency or IPLV. The tool uses Copper to calculate chiller performance curves based on the uswer specified part load performance, full load performance and other chiller characteristics. Additional details about the process are available here - https://joss.theoj.org/papers/10.21105/joss.04876.pdf

Bug Fixes 

1. Outdoor air schedule: Fixes error with outdoor air schedule (‘PNNL_TSPR_School_DOAS_Fan_OA_Damper_Schedule_Week_Day’) where it was incorrectly supplying outdoor air during set back/set up when the space was unoccupied.

2. DCV: Fixes errors with DCV modeling approach. The new approach implemented uses the regression equations specified in Standard 90.1 2022, Appendix J, for calculating design outside air which accounts for DCV control.

3. Sizing: Fixed several small errors related to system sizing for DOAS systems with ERV supply air temperature control and single zone systems.

4. ERV: Fixes bug where ERV type (rotary or plate) wasn’t being set correctly. 

5. Economizer: Added an ‘economizer efficiency schedule’ for multi zone systems to reduce the economizer efficiency (i.e. the outdoor air bought in by the economizer) to represent actual economizer operations.

Simulation Infrastructure Improvements  

1. OpenStudio upgraded to V3.3, EnergyPlus to V9.6

2. AirloopHVAC:UnitaryHeatPump:AirToAir has been replaced by AirLoopHVAC:UnitarySystem to allow modeling for VAV fans with Unitary heat pumps. (EnergyPlus doesn’t not allow VAV fans for AirloopHVAC:UnitaryHeatPump:AirToAir)

04.08.2022

Release 2021.2.0

Simulation Infrastructure Improvements and Fixes 

• Backend system improvements for administrators

• Backend modifications and minor bug fixes 

10.25.2021

Release 2021.2.0

New Features – TSPR 

• Moved the TSPR analysis tool that had been embedded in the Asset Score platform to it's own location.  TSPR may now be accessed at https://energycode.pnl.gov/HVACSystemPerformance.

Simulation Infrastructure Improvements and Fixes 

• Backend system improvements for administrators

• Backend modifications and minor bug fixes 

01.27.2021

Release 2021.1.0

New Features – TSPR 

• An example building library feature has been added which includes example building configurations for all use-types.

• Several example system configurations have been provided in the Example Building Library to identify system characteristics which comply with WSEC TSPR requirements.

• Additional mechanical equipment schedule inputs have been added, including pump schedule entries for Plants Loops

• Several new modeling inputs have been added including:

  • Additional pump controls for chilled water and hot water pumps

  • Ability to specify maximum cooling and minimum heating setpoint for DOAS systems with cooling and heating systems.

  • Dual maximum damper control for VAV terminal units

Simulation Infrastructure Improvements and Fixes 

• TSPR equipment performance curves have been updated for water cooled chillers, variable speed cooling towers and condensing gas boilers

• TSPR backend modeling capabilities added and updated to accommodate new modeling inputs

• Updated the TSPR User Guide to include instructions and guidance for new inputs and procedures

• Backend system improvements for administrators

• Backend modifications and minor bug fixes