index.rst
Modelica Buildings library
Contents:
The Modelica Buildings library is a free and open-source library of component models for HVAC systems, hydronic heating systems, controls and multizone airflow and contaminant transport. A beta version of a model for multizone heat transfer through the building envelope has been released in early 2011.
The primary use of the library is for flexible and fast modeling of building energy and control systems to accelerate innovation leading to cost-effective very low energy systems for new and existing buildings. We are in particular interested in
- rapid prototyping of new building systems,
- analysis of the operation of existing building systems,
- development, specification, verification and deployment of building controls within a model-based design process,
- reuse of models during operation for functional testing, for verification of control sequences, for energy-minimizing controls, fault detection and diagnostics,
- active involvement of the simulation users in the development process to ensure that users' needs are met, and
- providing to users an open-source library of building, HVAC and controls components and systems that they can use, extend and adjust to suit their needs.
All our development is open-source and we welcome contributions. Early applications are the development of control algorithms, the development of integrated building energy systems and rapid prototyping. Models of this library are also used in the interactive computer-based [[http://www.learnhvac.org|learn HVAC]] education tool.
By using the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed, the models in this library can also be coupled to other simulation programs such as EnergyPlus, Radiance and MATLAB/Simulink, as well as to building control systems using a BACnet or analog/digital interface.