1.2. Model setup

A model of the house was constructed in both TRNSYS and IDA ICE, allowing comparison of the heating demand simulated by each program. Figure 2 shows the 3D visualisation of the house created in IDA ICE.

The heating energy requirement of the house is determined by implementing a heater with unlimited heating capacity in each zone, setting the mean indoor temperature to 18°C and modelling the house separately from the PVT system. The simulation results for the heating energy delivered to the zones then provide values for the energy required by the zones to maintain an average temperature of 18°C. Heat gains of 3W/m2 due to lighting, equipment and occupancy were included in the modelling. An air change rate of 1 ACH was used for all simulations.

In order to determine the output energy from the PVT system that could be supplied to the house, the TRNSYS Type 567 PVT system was also simulated separately using TMY2 weather data for Sydney and the parameters detailed in Table 1.