ACCIM stands for Adaptive Comfort Control Implemented Model.

In research terms, this is a proposal for a paradigm shift, from using fixed PMV-based to adaptive setpoint temperatures, based on adaptive thermal comfort algorithms and it has been widely studied and published on scientific research journals (for more information, refer to https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3080-0821).

In terms of code, this is a python package that transforms fixed setpoint temperature building energy models into adaptive setpoint temperature energy models by adding the Adaptive Comfort Control Implementation Script (ACCIS). This package has been developed to be used in EnergyPlus building energy performance simulations.

The figure below clearly explains the aim of adaptive setpoint temperatures: introducing hourly temperature values into the adaptive comfort zone. On the left column, you can see the simulation results of a naturally ventilated building, while on the right column, the same building in mixed-mode operation with adaptive setpoint temperatures.

1. Citation

If you use this package, please cite us:

Sánchez-García, D., Bienvenido-Huertas, D., Rubio-Bellido, C., 2021. Computational approach to extend the air-conditioning usage to adaptive comfort: Adaptive-Comfort-Control-Implementation Script. Automation in Construction. 131, 103900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103900

Sánchez-García, D., Martínez-Crespo, J., Hernando, U.R.R., Alonso, C., 2023. A detailed view of the Adaptive-Comfort-Control-Implementation Script (ACCIS): The capabilities of the automation system for adaptive setpoint temperatures in building energy models. Energy and Buildings. 288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113019

2. How to use

2.0 Requirements

To use accim, the following must be installed:

• Python 3.9
• EnergyPlus (any version between 9.1 and 23.1 those included)

2.1 Installation

First of all, you need to install the package:

pip install accim

2.2 Usage

2.2.1 Transforming PMV-based into adaptive setpoint temperatures

This is a very brief explanation of the usage. Therefore, if you don't get the results you expected or get some error, I would recommend reading the 'Detailed use' section at the documentation in the link https://accim.readthedocs.io/en/master/

accim will take as input IDF files those located at the same path as the script. You only need to run the following code:

2.2.1.1 Short version

from accim.sim import accis
accis.addAccis()

Once you run this code, you will be asked to enter some information at the terminal or python console to generate the output IDF files.

2.2.1.2 Longer version

from accim.sim import accis
accis.addAccis(
    ScriptType=str, # ScriptType: 'vrf_mm', 'vrf_ac', 'ex_mm', 'ex_ac'. For instance: ScriptType='vrf_ac',
    SupplyAirTempInputMethod=str, # SupplyAirTempInputMethod: 'supply air temperature', 'temperature difference'. For instance: SupplyAirTempInputMethod='supply air temperature',
    Output_keep_existing=bool, # Output_keep_existing: True or False. For instance: Output_keep_existing=False,
    Output_type=str, # Output_type: 'simplified', 'standard', 'detailed' or 'custom'. For instance: Output_type='standard',
    Output_freqs=list, # Output_freqs: ['timestep', 'hourly', 'daily', 'monthly', 'runperiod']. For instance: Output_freqs=['hourly', 'runperiod'],
    Output_gen_dataframe=bool, # Output_keep_existing: True or False. For instance: Output_keep_existing=False,
    Output_take_dataframe=pandas Dataframe,
    EnergyPlus_version=str, # EnergyPlus_version: '9.1', '9.2', '9.3', '9.4', '9.5', '9.6', '22.1', '22.2' or '23.1'. For instance: EnergyPlus_version='23.1',
    TempCtrl=str, # TempCtrl: 'temperature' or 'temp', or 'pmv'. For instance: TempCtrl='temp',
    ComfStand=list, # it is the Comfort Standard. Can be any integer from 0 to 22. For instance: ComfStand=[0, 1, 2, 3],
    CAT=list, # it is the Category. Can be 1, 2, 3, 80, 85 or 90. For instance: CAT=[3, 80],
    ComfMod=list, # it is Comfort Mode. Can be 0, 1, 2 or 3. For instance: ComfMod=[0, 3],
    SetpointAcc=float, # it is the accuracy of the setpoint temperatures
    CoolSeasonStart=dd/mm date in string format or integer to represent the day of the year, # it is the start date for the cooling season
    CoolSeasonEnd=dd/mm date in string format or integer to represent the day of the year, # it is the end date for the cooling season
    HVACmode=list, # it is the HVAC mode. 0 for Full AC, 1 for NV and 2 for MM. For instance: HVACmode=[0, 2],
    VentCtrl=list, # it is the Ventilation Control. Can be 0 or 1. For instance: VentCtrl=[0, 1],
    MaxTempDiffVOF=float, # When the difference of operative and outdoor temperature exceeds MaxTempDiffVOF, windows will be opened the fraction of MultiplierVOF. For instance: MaxTempDiffVOF=20,
    MinTempDiffVOF=float, # When the difference of operative and outdoor temperature is smaller than MinTempDiffVOF, windows will be fully opened. Between min and max, windows will be linearly opened. For instance: MinTempDiffVOF=1,
    MultiplierVOF=float, # Fraction of window to be opened when temperature difference exceeds MaxTempDiffVOF. For instance: Multiplier=0.2,
    VSToffset=list, # it is the offset for the ventilation setpoint. Can be any number, float or int. For instance: VSToffset=[-1.5, -1, 0, 1, 1.5],
    MinOToffset=list, # it is the offset for the minimum outdoor temperature to ventilate. Can be any positive number, float or int. For instance: MinOToffset=[0.5, 1, 2],
    MaxWindSpeed=list, # it is the maximum wind speed allowed for ventilation. Can be any positive number, float or int. For instance: MinOToffset=[2.5, 5, 10],
    ASTtol_start=float, # it is the start of the tolerance sequence. For instance: ASTtol_start=0,
    ASTtol_end_input=float, # it is the end of the tolerance sequence. For instance: ASTtol_start=2,
    ASTtol_steps=float, # these are the steps of the tolerance sequence. For instance: ASTtol_steps=0.25,
    NameSuffix=str # NameSuffix: some text you might want to add at the end of the output IDF file name. For instance: NameSuffix='whatever',
    verboseMode=bool # verboseMode: True to print all process in screen, False to not to print it. Default is True. For instance: verboseMode=True,
    confirmGen=bool # True to confirm automatically the generation of IDFs; if False, you'll be asked to confirm in command prompt. Default is False. For instance: confirmGen=False,
)

You can see a Jupyter Notebook in the link below:
https://github.com/dsanchez-garcia/accim/blob/master/accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/addAccis/using_addAccis.ipynb

You can also execute it at your computer. You just need to find the folder containing the .ipynb and all other files at the accim package folder within your site_packages path, in

accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/addAccis

The path should be something like this, with your username instead of YOUR_USERNAME:

C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Lib\site-packages\accim\sample_files\jupyter_notebooks\addAccis

Then, you just need to copy the folder to a different path (i.e. Desktop), open a cmd dialog pointing at it, and run "jupyter notebook". After that, an internet browser will pop up, and you will be able to open the .ipynb file.

2.2.2 Renaming epw files for later data analysis

You can see a Jupyter Notebook in the link below:
https://github.com/dsanchez-garcia/accim/blob/master/accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/rename_epw_files/using_rename_epw_files.ipynb

You can also execute it at your computer. You just need to find the folder containing the .ipynb and all other files at the accim package folder within your site_packages path, in

accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/rename_epw_files

The path should be something like this, with your username instead of YOUR_USERNAME:

C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Lib\site-packages\accim\sample_files\jupyter_notebooks\rename_epw_files

Then, you just need to copy the folder to a different path (i.e. Desktop), open a cmd dialog pointing at it, and run "jupyter notebook". After that, an internet browser will pop up, and you will be able to open the .ipynb file.

2.2.3 Running simulations

You can see a Jupyter Notebook in the link below:
https://github.com/dsanchez-garcia/accim/blob/master/accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/runEp/using_runEp.ipynb

You can also execute it at your computer. You just need to find the folder containing the .ipynb and all other files at the accim package folder within your site_packages path, in

accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/runEp

The path should be something like this, with your username instead of YOUR_USERNAME:

C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Lib\site-packages\accim\sample_files\jupyter_notebooks\runEp

Then, you just need to copy the folder to a different path (i.e. Desktop), open a cmd dialog pointing at it, and run "jupyter notebook". After that, an internet browser will pop up, and you will be able to open the .ipynb file.

2.2.4 Functions and methods for data analysis; making figures and tables

You can see a Jupyter Notebook in the link below:
https://github.com/dsanchez-garcia/accim/blob/master/accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/Table/using_Table.ipynb

You can also execute it at your computer. You just need to find the folder containing the .ipynb and all other files at the accim package folder within your site_packages path, in

accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/Table

The path should be something like this, with your username instead of YOUR_USERNAME:

C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Lib\site-packages\accim\sample_files\jupyter_notebooks\Table

Then, you just need to copy the folder to a different path (i.e. Desktop), open a cmd dialog pointing at it, and run "jupyter notebook". After that, an internet browser will pop up, and you will be able to open the .ipynb file.

2.2.5 Full example: from preparation of the input IDFs and EPWs, to simulation and data analysis and visualization

You can see a Jupyter Notebook in the link below:
https://github.com/dsanchez-garcia/accim/blob/master/accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/full_example_IBPSA/full_example_IBPSA.ipynb

This Notebook was used in the IBPSA webinar (although for accim version 0.7.1), which you can watch at the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ34Pl7t4HA&t=3393s

You can also execute it at your computer. You just need to find the folder containing the .ipynb and all other files at the accim package folder within your site_packages path, in

accim/sample_files/jupyter_notebooks/full_example_IBPSA

The path should be something like this, with your username instead of YOUR_USERNAME:

C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Lib\site-packages\accim\sample_files\jupyter_notebooks\full_example_IBPSA

Then, you just need to copy the folder to a different path (i.e. Desktop), open a cmd dialog pointing at it, and run "jupyter notebook". After that, an internet browser will pop up, and you will be able to open the .ipynb file.

3. Documentation

Detailed documentation, including the explanation of the different arguments, is at: https://accim.readthedocs.io/en/master/

4. Credits

It wouldn't have been possible to develop this python package without eppy, so thank you for such an awesome work.