One of the best ways to learn the details of EnergyPlus Economics is to see some example tariffs and how they are entered on the Tariff dialog. To do this, several different rates of increasing complexity are shown in the following examples.
Note: The examples provided below are based on entering costs in US Dollars (USD/$), but the principles are the same for all currencies. The currency can be selected on the International tab of the Program options.
Another source of examples is the large set of tariff input objects provided with EnergyPlus in the macro data set file called “UtilityTariffObjects.imf” located in the “MacroDataSets” folder where EnergyPlus is installed. This file contains sets of objects that fully define tariffs for commercial customers from a collection of U.S. utility companies.
As an example of the simplest type of tariff:
Customer Charge: $2.51 per month
Energy Charge: 5.5342 cents/kWh
This simple tariff can be set up by making the following settings on the Economics tab at building level.
Use a single Tariff component:
On the Tariff tab of the Tariff dialog, set the fixed monthly fee to $2.51 per month using the Input monthly service charge value setting as shown below:
On the Charge tab, set the Input cost per unit value to 0.055342 USD:
Another simple type of tariff is one where the energy charges vary by the amount of energy consumed each month.
Customer Charge: $5.75 per month
Energy Charge: 7.231 cents/kWh for first 200 kWh
6.656 cents/kWh for next 1000 kWh
5.876 cents/kWh for over 1200 kWh
This tariff is an extension of Example A in that it includes a fixed monthly charge but this one uses 3 energy charge blocks instead of 1. It can be set up by making the following settings on the Economics tab at building level.
Use a single Tariff component:
On the Tariff tab of the Tariff dialog:
Set the fixed monthly fee to $5.75 per month using the Input monthly service charge value setting as shown below:
On the Charge tab:
Set the number of charges to 1.
Under the Charge 1 settings header:
Set Simple or Block? to 2-Block.
Set the Number of blocks to 3
Set Block size 1 value to 200.
Set Block 1 cost per unit value to 0.07231 USD.
Under the Charge 2 settings header:
Set Block size 2 value to 1000.
Set the Block 2 cost per unit value to 0.06656 USD.
Under the Charge 3 settings header:
Set the Block size 3 variable name to remaining.
Set the Block 3 cost per unit value to 0.05876 USD.
The charge tab should look as follows when you have finished.
This example contains both a block for energy and a block for demand and is very similar to the previous example except it now includes demand charges as well. The energy and demand charges vary by the amount of energy and demand consumed each month.
Energy Charge: 4.74 cents/kWh for first 20,000 kWh
4.24 cents/kWh for next 180,000 kWh
3.83 cents/kWh for additional kWh
Demand Charge: 5.38 dollars per kW for first 20 kW
4.23 dollars per kW for next 80 kW
3.60 dollars per kW for additional kW
Use a single Tariff component:
On the Tariff tab of the Tariff dialog, clear any fixed tariff data as shown below:
On the Charge tab:
Set the number of charges to 2, one for energy, the other for demand.
Under the Charge 1 settings header:
Set Simple or Block? to 2-Block.
Set the Number of blocks to 3
Set Block size 1 value to 200000.
Set Block 1 cost per unit value to 0.0474 USD.
Under the Charge 2 settings header:
Set Block size 2 value to 180000.
Set the Input monthly service charge value to 0.07231 USD.
Under the Charge 3 settings header:
Set the Input monthly service charge value to 0.07231 USD.
Set the Input cost per unit value to 0.055342 USD.
This tariff would use two UtilityCost:Charge:Block objects. No monthly charge is shown so the UtilityCost:Tariff object can include just the first four fields. Note that the block sizes are every other field at the bottom of the object and the that final block size references a built in variable called “remaining” that contains a very large number.
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleC, ! Name
Electricity:Facility, ! Output Meter Name
KWh; ! Conversion Factor Choice
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
BlockEnergyCharge, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleC, ! Tariff Name
totalEnergy, ! Source Variable
Annual, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
, ! Remaining Into Variable
, ! Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
20000, ! Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
0.0474, ! Block 1 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
180000, ! Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
0.0424, ! Block 2 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, ! Block Size 3 Value or Variable Name
0.0383; ! Block 3 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
BlockDemandCharge, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleC, ! Tariff Name
totalDemand, ! Source Variable
Annual, ! Season
DemandCharges, ! Category Variable Name
, ! Remaining Into Variable
, ! Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
20, ! Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
5.38, ! Block 1 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
80, ! Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
4.23, ! Block 2 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, ! Block Size 3 Value or Variable Name
3.60; ! Block 3 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
Another type of tariff is one where the energy charges vary by the amount of energy consumed each month and are different for the summer and winter. In addition, this example demonstrates the minimum charge field.
Minimum Charge: $7.00 per month
Winter – October through May
Energy Charge: 4.385 cents/kWh for first 650 kWh
3.763 cents/kWh for next 350 kWh
3.704 cents/kWh for over 1000 kWh
Summer – June through September
Energy Charge: 8.385 cents/kWh for first 650 kWh
7.588 cents/kWh for next 350 kWh
7.103 cents/kWh for over 1000 kWh
This tariff would use two UtilityCost:Charge:Block objects. The monthly charge is part of the UtilityCost:Tariff object. Note that the block sizes are every other field at the bottom of the object and the that final block size references a built in variable called “remaining” that contains a very large number.
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleD, ! Name
Electricity:Facility, ! Output Meter Name
KWh, ! Conversion Factor Choice
, ! Energy Conversion Factor
, ! Demand Conversion Factor
, ! Time of Use Period Schedule Name
TwoSeasonSchedule, ! Season Schedule Name
, ! Month Schedule Name
, ! Demand Window Length
, ! Monthly Charge or Variable Name
7.00; ! Minimum Monthly Charge or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
WinterEnergyCost, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleD, ! Tariff Name
totalEnergy, ! Source Variable
Winter, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
, ! Remaining Into Variable
, ! Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
650, ! Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
0.04385, ! Block 1 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
350, ! Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
0.03763, ! Block 2 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, ! Block Size 3 Value or Variable Name
0.03704; ! Block 3 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
SummerEnergyCost, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleD, ! Tariff Name
totalEnergy, ! Source Variable
Summer, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
, ! Remaining Into Variable
, ! Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
650, ! Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
0.08385, ! Block 1 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
350, ! Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
0.07588, ! Block 2 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, ! Block Size 3 Value or Variable Name
0.07103; ! Block 3 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
Schedule:Compact, TwoSeasonSchedule, number,
Through: 5/31, For: AllDays, Until: 24:00, 1,
Through: 9/30, For: AllDays, Until: 24:00, 3,
Through: 12/31, For: AllDays, Until: 24:00, 1;
A more advanced rate varies the size of the blocks based on amount of demand for the month. This creates an effective demand charge if the blocks have declining values.
Customer Charge: $14.00 per month
Energy Charge: 8.756 cents/kWh for all consumption not greater than 200 hours times the demand
6.812 cents/kWh for all consumption in excess of 200 hours and not greater than 400 hours times the demand
5.029 cents/kWh for all consumption in excess of 400 hours times the demand.
This tariff would use a single UtilityCost:Charge:Block object. The monthly charge is part of the UtilityCost:Tariff object. In this case the Block Size Multiplier Value (or Variable) is set to the totalDemand variable.
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleE, ! Name
Electricity:Facility, ! Output Meter Name
KWh, ! Conversion Factor Choice
, ! Energy Conversion Factor
, ! Demand Conversion Factor
, ! Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, ! Season Schedule Name
, ! Month Schedule Name
, ! Demand Window Length
14; ! Monthly Charge or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
BlockEnergyCharge, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleE, ! Tariff Name
totalEnergy, ! Source Variable
Annual, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
, ! Remaining Into Variable
totalDemand, ! Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
200, ! Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
0.08756, ! Block 1 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
200, ! Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
0.06812, ! Block 2 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, ! Block Size 3 Value or Variable Name
0.05029; ! Block 3 Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
Tariffs sometimes have higher costs for energy consumed during the daytime than at night. This example includes energy charges that vary by the time of day and by the season.
Monthly Charge: $37.75 per month
Winter – October through May
On Peak: 8.315 cents/kWh
Off-Peak: 2.420 cents/kWh
Summer – June through September
On Peak: 14.009 cents/kWh
Off-Peak: 6.312 cents/kWh
The on-peak period is defined as the hours starting at 10am and ending at 7pm, Monday through Friday for June through September and 3pm to 10pm Monday through Friday for October through May. All other hours are considered off-peak.
The tariff is only applicable for customers that use 50KW for at least one month of the year.
This tariff uses four different UtilityCost:Charge:Simple objects to capture the variation with time of the energy cost. The monthly charge is part of the UtilityCost:Tariff object.
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleF, ! Name
Electricity:Facility, ! Output Meter Name
kWh, ! Conversion Factor Choice
, ! Energy Conversion Factor
, ! Demand Conversion Factor
TimeOfDaySchedule, ! Time of Use Period Schedule Name
TwoSeasonSchedule, ! Season Schedule Name
, ! Month Schedule Name
, ! Demand Window Length
37.75; ! Monthly Charge or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
SummerOnPeak, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleF, ! Tariff Name
peakEnergy, ! Source Variable
Summer, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
0.14009; ! Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
SummerOffPeak, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleF, ! Tariff Name
offPeakEnergy, ! Source Variable
Summer, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
0.06312; ! Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
WinterOnPeak, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleF, ! Tariff Name
peakEnergy, ! Source Variable
Winter, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
0.08315; ! Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
WinterOffPeak, ! Charge Variable Name
ExampleF, ! Tariff Name
offPeakEnergy, ! Source Variable
Winter, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
0.02420; ! Cost per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Qualify,
MinDemand, ! Name
ExampleF, ! Tariff Name
TotalDemand, ! Variable Name
Minimum, ! Qualify Type
50, ! Threshold Value or Variable Name
Annual, ! Season
Count, ! Threshold Test
1; ! Number of Months
Schedule:Compact, TwoSeasonSchedule, number,
Through: 5/31, For: AllDays, Until: 24:00, 1,
Through: 9/30, For: AllDays, Until: 24:00, 3,
Through: 12/31, For: AllDays, Until: 24:00, 1;
Schedule:Compact, TimeOfDaySchedule, number,
Through: 5/31, For: AllDays, Until: 15:00, 3,
Until: 22:00, 1,
Until: 24:00, 3,
Through: 9/30, For: AllDays, Until: 10:00, 3,
Until: 19:00, 1,
Until: 24:00, 3,
Through: 12/31, For: AllDays, Until: 15:00, 3,
Until: 22:00, 1,
Until: 24:00, 3;
Utilities have come up with many different ways to encourage certain load factors and discourage other load factors. One method that has been used is blocks defined within other blocks. In the following example standard kWh blocks exist within the energy allocated for the first of several kWh/kW blocks.
Monthly Charge: $35 per month
Energy Charge: For all consumption not greater than 200 hours times the demand use
10.32 cents/kWh for the first 1000 kWh
7.43 cents/kWh for the next 4000 kWh
6.23 cents/kWh for the next 5000 kWh
4.27 cents/kWh for the remaining kWh less than 200 hours times the demand
6.82 cents/kWh for all consumption in excess of 200 hours and not greater than 400 hours times the demand
5.03 cents/kWh for all consumption in excess of 400 hours times the demand.
To set up this “block within a block” a UtilityCost:Charge:Block is first used to separate out the first 200 kWh/kW. The “EnergyFirst200kWhPerkW” charge performs this. It uses demand to multiply the first block size by 200 and the “cost” for the block is simply 1 since it passes through the energy to the variable “EnergyFirst200kWhPerkW”. The remaining energy goes into the “restOfEnergy” variable as specified as the “Remaining Into Variable” field. After this is evaluated we have two new variables that hold energy. Each of these variables are then separately used in UtilityCost:Charge:Block objects to evaluate the different parts of the example tariff. By using the “Remaining Into Variable” along with the concept of variables, many very complex tariffs may be modelled.
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleG, !- Name
ElectricityPurchased:Facility, !- Output Meter Name
KWh, !- Conversion Factor Choice
, !- Energy Conversion Factor
, !- Demand Conversion Factor
, !- Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, !- Season Schedule Name
, !- Month Schedule Name
, !- Demand Window Length
35; !- Monthly Charge or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
EnergyFirst200kWhPerkW, !- Charge Variable Name
ExampleG, !- Tariff Name
totalEnergy, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
NotIncluded, !- Category Variable Name
restOfEnergy, !- Remaining Into Variable
totalDemand, !- Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
200, !- Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
1; !- Block 1 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
CostOfFirst200kWhPerkW, !- Charge Variable Name
ExampleG, !- Tariff Name
EnergyFirst200kWhPerkW, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
EnergyCharges, !- Category Variable Name
, !- Remaining Into Variable
, !- Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
1000, !- Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
0.1032, !- Block 1 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
4000, !- Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
0.0743, !- Block 2 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
5000, !- Block Size 3 Value or Variable Name
0.0623, !- Block 3 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, !- Block Size 4 Value or Variable Name
0.0427; !- Block 4 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Block,
CostOfRestOfEnergy, !- Charge Variable Name
ExampleG, !- Tariff Name
restOfEnergy, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
EnergyCharges, !- Category Variable Name
, !- Remaining Into Variable
totalDemand, !- Block Size Multiplier Value or Variable Name
200, !- Block Size 1 Value or Variable Name
0.0682, !- Block 1 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
remaining, !- Block Size 2 Value or Variable Name
0.0503; !- Block 2 Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
Some utilities have tariffs that can have different prices every hour of the year called Real Time Pricing tariffs. Often the utility will inform the customer of the prices for each hour of the day just one day in advance. To model this type of utility rate a normal schedule is used that contains the prices on an hourly basis. The “Charge Schedule” field is where the Schedule object containing the prices is referenced. In addition, the “Baseline Use Schedule” field is used to set the schedule for the customer baseline load. Not all utilities use a customer baseline load so the field can be left blank if none is needed. The Period, Season and Month Schedules are not needed for these tariffs unless UtilityCost:Charge’s are used. The Schedule:File object can be especially useful to input a complex schedule that changes throughout the year.
Example H, shown below, is an example of how to use the UtilityCost:Tariff object with a schedule to calculate a utility tariff using real time prices. The example real time pricing schedule results in the same energy cost as Example F – Seasonal Time of Use Energy. This is only an example and usually for real time pricing the schedule values would vary throughout the year.
! EXAMPLE H - Real Time Pricing (RTP)
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleH, !- Name
ElectricityPurchased:Facility, !- Output Meter Name
kWh, !- Conversion Factor Choice
, !- Energy Conversion Factor
, !- Demand Conversion Factor
, !- Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, !- Season Schedule Name
, !- Month Schedule Name
, !- Demand Window Length
37.75, !- Monthly Charge or Variable Name
, !- Minimum Monthly Charge or Variable Name
RTPpriceSchedule-H, !- Real Time Pricing Charge Schedule Name
, !- Customer Baseline Load Schedule Name
, !- Group Name
buyFromUtility; !- Buy Or Sell
Schedule:Compact,
RTPpriceSchedule-H, !- Name
Any Number, !- Schedule Type Limits Name
Through: 5/31, !- Field 1
For: AllDays, !- Field 2
Until: 15:00, !- Field 3
0.02420, !- Field 4
Until: 22:00, !- Field 5
0.08315, !- Field 6
Until: 24:00, !- Field 7
0.02420, !- Field 8
Through: 9/30, !- Field 9
For: AllDays, !- Field 10
Until: 10:00, !- Field 11
0.06312, !- Field 12
Until: 19:00, !- Field 13
0.14009, !- Field 14
Until: 24:00, !- Field 15
0.06312, !- Field 16
Through: 12/31, !- Field 17
For: AllDays, !- Field 18
Until: 15:00, !- Field 19
0.02420, !- Field 20
Until: 22:00, !- Field 21
0.08315, !- Field 22
Until: 24:00, !- Field 23
0.02420; !- Field 24
When the building contains a generator, photovoltaics, or other sources of electrical power, there is an opportunity for the building generator to produce more power than the building uses. The excess power can either be sold to the utility or offset the energy purchased.
When the excess power is sold, two utility rates need to be defined. The first can be defined just as in any of the previous examples. Since the “Buy or Sell” field of the UtilityCost:Tariff object defaults to “buyFromUtility” it does not even need to be specified. The meter specified in the “Output Meter” is usually set to “ElectricityPurchased:Facility.”
The second tariff needs to be defined with the “Buy or Sell” field set to “sellToUtility.” The “Output Meter” is usually set to “ElectricitySurplusSold:Facility.” It is important to set the appropriate meters that correspond with the “Buy or Sell” field. The example below shows an tariff that sells the excess electricity back to utility. The UtilityCost:Charge:Simple object contains a “Cost Per Value” with a negative number. A negative number is critical if a credit for selling this electricity is expected.
! EXAMPLE I - Selling
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
GeneratedElectricSold, !- Charge Variable Name
ExampleI-Sell, !- Tariff Name
totalEnergy, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
EnergyCharges, !- Category Variable Name
-0.02; !- Cost Per Unit Value (or Variable)
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleI-Sell, !- Name
ElectricitySurplusSold:Facility, !- Output Meter Name
kWh, !- Conversion Factor Choice
, !- Energy Conversion Factor
, !- Demand Conversion Factor
, !- Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, !- Season Schedule Name
, !- Month Schedule Name
, !- Demand Window Length
, !- Monthly Charge or Variable Name
, !- Minimum Monthly Charge or Variable Name
, !- Real Time Pricing Charge Schedule Name
, !- Customer Baseline Load Schedule Name
, !- Group Name
sellToUtility; !- Buy Or Sell
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
GeneratedElectricSold, !- Charge Variable Name
ExampleI-Sell, !- Tariff Name
totalEnergy, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
EnergyCharges, !- Category Variable Name
-0.02; !- Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
The next part of this example is a rate that uses net-metering. With net metering the meter conceptually turns backwards when the energy is being sold to the utility directly reducing the energy consumption being charged. Effectively, the rate charge for purchased electricity is the same as the rate credited for electricity sold to the utility. In this the “Buy or Sell” field should be set to “netMetering.” It is also important the “Output Meter” is set to a meter that represents net metering such as “ElectricityNet:Facility.” The following example shows a simple example tariff using net metering with a single UtilityCost:Charge:Simple:
! EXAMPLE I – Net Metering
UtilityCost:Tariff,
ExampleI-NetMeter, !- Name
ElectricityNet:Facility, !- Output Meter Name
kWh, !- Conversion Factor Choice
, !- Energy Conversion Factor
, !- Demand Conversion Factor
, !- Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, !- Season Schedule Name
, !- Month Schedule Name
, !- Demand Window Length
30.00, !- Monthly Charge or Variable Name
, !- Minimum Monthly Charge or Variable Name
, !- Real Time Pricing Charge Schedule Name
, !- Customer Baseline Load Schedule Name
, !- Group Name
netMetering; !- Buy Or Sell
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
NetMeteredCharge, !- Charge Variable Name
ExampleI-NetMeter, !- Tariff Name
totalEnergy, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
EnergyCharges, !- Category Variable Name
0.065; !- Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name