The powerdomus environment for simulating HVAC systems

In this paper, the new capabilities of PowerDomus to simulate central HVAC systems combined to its whole-building hygrothermal model is presented. First, models for the primary (chiller, cooling tower, primary pumps and condensation pumps) and secondary (cooling and dehumidifying coil, humidifier, fan and mixing box) systems are presented. Those mathematical models have been integrated into the whole-building PowerDomus program. The program simulation environment is then presented and results show the usability aspects of the program in terms of energy consumption comparison between air- and water-cooled chillers. Influence of the moisture effects on the energy consumption calculation is also illustrated, showing that disregarding moisture may underestimate the cooling energy consumption.