IES VE:

PA R A M E T R I C
TOOL

Guide & Study

THE TOOL
The parametric batch processor (PBP) in IES VE allows simultaneous simulations
of different models/the same model with varying parameters set within the tool.

The model used is a 4-floor office building, located in London, with some
vegetation north-east.

Figure 1: study model in IES VE

objectives
Run parallel simulations for different orientation, WWR and overhang
configurations.
WO R K F L OW

Define model Define variant data Setup and add to

geometry & data choices queue (ApcheSIM)

Repeat for each Select .apr files to

Run PBP
model run

Select variables to Set other options Run parallel

change (scale, range, …) simulations
STEP 1 - SETUP
Defining model in the VE using Building Template Manager as you typically
would.

To set up the variable simulations later, define also other options, eg. overhang
added onto external windows.
STEP 2 – SIM SETUP
After running SunCast for each model (orientations and WWR was set up in
different files), the Apache Simulation can be set up, specifying name,
simulation and output options as usual. Instead of simulating, the model is
added to queue, which creates a new file of .apr format in the VE folder of the
model.

After setting up all models

(or just one), the
parametric batch processor
can be launched from the
navigator tab.
Here, all the simulation models can be added and the variables and number of
simulations for each model can be determined.

The .apr files for each model can be found in the VE model folder >
parametric_batch > modelname.apr.

Under “variable”, the parameter you wish to change can be selected. In this
case, we have variable overhang lengths, so different external window
configurations were selected.

It is possible to modify the following variables:

CONSTRUCTIONS ENERGY
External Floor Heating Setpoint (°C)
External Wall Cooling Setpoint (°C)
Internal Wall Infiltration Rate (Ac/hr)
Internal Floor/Ceiling Aux Air Rate (Ac/hr)
Roof Nat Vent Air Rate (Ac/hr)
External Window Photovoltaics Area (m2)
External Rooflight Wind Turbine Power (kW)
While constructions can be varied depending on configurations created
previously in Building Template manager, the energy related variables can be
specified with minimum, maximum and iteration step size.
STEP 3 – run & result
After the setup, the simulations can be run at once.

The results can be found in VistaPro as results files:

TIME needed for 12 simulations in PBP = 6:30 min

TIME needed for 1 conventional sim = 0:33 min
conclusion
In total, the parallel simulations do not save time, as the total time is the same.
Also, the VE cannot be used while simulations are running. However, it does
make the process simpler as the setup is simpler for the selected variables and
suncast/apache do not have to be run separately. In total, this will still save time
and prevent mistakes in the process.