Unable to see my plot in example 85-Schedule example

choy tuck wai

unread,

Aug 3, 2020, 8:48:28 PM8/3/20

to bcvtb

hi, I have been trying to simulate the 85-schedule example with my own idf file but there is no plotting of the graph after the simulation is done.

I am using Energyplus 9.2.0 but I have already configured the bcvtb 1.6 to work with 9.2.0 and also configure the simulator actor accordingly and also added the necessary code to my idf file as instructed from this manual https://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/bcvtb/releases/latest/doc/manual/tit-EnePluCon.xhtml.

It seems that I am able to run the energyplus simulation in bcvtb but that is this ReadVARESO problem at the end of the simulation.

Please help me as I am very new to bcvtb . really much appreciated.

Below is the output text from my energyplus simulation in bcvtb if it helps:

Running EPMacro...

ExpandObjects Started.

No expanded file generated.

ExpandObjects Finished. Time: 0.250

EnergyPlus Starting

EnergyPlus, Version 9.2.0-921312fa1d, YMD=2020.08.03 14:12

Initializing Response Factors

Calculating CTFs for "CARPETED 100MM REINFORCED-CONCRETE CEILING", Construction # 6

Calculating CTFs for "[JTH] 100MM RC + PLASTER", Construction # 23

Calculating CTFs for "[JTH] FALSE CEILING", Construction # 25

Calculating CTFs for "[JTH]100MM RC WALL+ PLASTER", Construction # 26

Calculating CTFs for "[JTH]75MM_DRYWALL PARTITION + 50MM INSULATION", Construction # 27

Calculating CTFs for "[JTH]POLYSTYRENE + 200MM RC + SCREED", Construction # 29

Initializing Window Optical Properties

Initializing Solar Calculations

Allocate Solar Module Arrays

Initializing Zone and Enclosure Report Variables

Initializing Surface (Shading) Report Variables

Computing Interior Solar Absorption Factors

Determining Shadowing Combinations

Computing Window Shade Absorption Factors

Proceeding with Initializing Solar Calculations

Initializing Surfaces

Initializing Outdoor environment for Surfaces

Setting up Surface Reporting Variables

Initializing Temperature and Flux Histories

Initializing Window Shading

Computing Interior Absorption Factors

Computing Interior Diffuse Solar Absorption Factors

Computing Interior Diffuse Solar Exchange through Interzone Windows

Initializing Solar Heat Gains

Initializing Internal Heat Gains

Initializing Interior Solar Distribution

Initializing Interior Convection Coefficients

Gathering Information for Predefined Reporting

Completed Initializing Surface Heat Balance

Calculate Outside Surface Heat Balance

Calculate Inside Surface Heat Balance

Calculate Air Heat Balance

Initializing HVAC

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #1 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS DB=>MWB

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #2 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS DP=>MDB

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #3 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS ENTH=>MDB

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #4 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS WB=>MDB

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #5 SINGAPORE ANN HTG 99.6% CONDNS DB

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #6 SINGAPORE ANN HTG WIND 99.6% CONDNS WS=>MCDB

Warming up

Performing Zone Sizing Simulation

...for Sizing Period: #7 SINGAPORE ANN HUM_N 99.6% CONDNS DP=>MCDB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #1 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS DB=>MWB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #2 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS DP=>MDB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #3 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS ENTH=>MDB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #4 SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS WB=>MDB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #5 SINGAPORE ANN HTG 99.6% CONDNS DB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #6 SINGAPORE ANN HTG WIND 99.6% CONDNS WS=>MCDB

Calculating System sizing

...for Sizing Period: #7 SINGAPORE ANN HUM_N 99.6% CONDNS DP=>MCDB

Adjusting Air System Sizing

Adjusting Standard 62.1 Ventilation Sizing

Initializing Simulation

Reporting Surfaces

Beginning Primary Simulation

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 06/21 for SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS DB=>MWB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 06/21 for SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS DP=>MDB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 06/21 for SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS ENTH=>MDB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 06/21 for SINGAPORE ANN CLG .4% CONDNS WB=>MDB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 12/21 for SINGAPORE ANN HTG 99.6% CONDNS DB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 12/21 for SINGAPORE ANN HTG WIND 99.6% CONDNS WS=>MCDB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 12/21 for SINGAPORE ANN HUM_N 99.6% CONDNS DP=>MCDB

Initializing New Environment Parameters

Warming up {1}

Warming up {2}

Warming up {3}

Warming up {4}

Warming up {5}

Warming up {6}

Starting Simulation at 01/01/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=01/08/2009

Continuing Simulation at 01/08/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=01/15/2009

Continuing Simulation at 01/15/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=01/22/2009

Continuing Simulation at 01/22/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=01/29/2009

Continuing Simulation at 01/29/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=02/05/2009

Continuing Simulation at 02/05/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=02/12/2009

Continuing Simulation at 02/12/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=02/19/2009

Continuing Simulation at 02/19/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=02/26/2009

Continuing Simulation at 02/26/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=03/05/2009

Continuing Simulation at 03/05/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=03/12/2009

Continuing Simulation at 03/12/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=03/19/2009

Continuing Simulation at 03/19/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=03/26/2009

Continuing Simulation at 03/26/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=04/02/2009

Continuing Simulation at 04/02/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=04/09/2009

Continuing Simulation at 04/09/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=04/16/2009

Continuing Simulation at 04/16/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=04/23/2009

Continuing Simulation at 04/23/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=04/30/2009

Continuing Simulation at 04/30/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=05/07/2009

Continuing Simulation at 05/07/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=05/14/2009

Continuing Simulation at 05/14/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=05/21/2009

Continuing Simulation at 05/21/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=05/28/2009

Continuing Simulation at 05/28/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=06/04/2009

Continuing Simulation at 06/04/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=06/11/2009

Continuing Simulation at 06/11/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=06/18/2009

Continuing Simulation at 06/18/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=06/25/2009

Continuing Simulation at 06/25/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=07/02/2009

Continuing Simulation at 07/02/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=07/09/2009

Continuing Simulation at 07/09/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=07/16/2009

Continuing Simulation at 07/16/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=07/23/2009

Continuing Simulation at 07/23/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=07/30/2009

Continuing Simulation at 07/30/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=08/06/2009

Continuing Simulation at 08/06/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=08/13/2009

Continuing Simulation at 08/13/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=08/20/2009

Continuing Simulation at 08/20/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=08/27/2009

Continuing Simulation at 08/27/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=09/03/2009

Continuing Simulation at 09/03/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=09/10/2009

Continuing Simulation at 09/10/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=09/17/2009

Continuing Simulation at 09/17/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=09/24/2009

Continuing Simulation at 09/24/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=10/01/2009

Continuing Simulation at 10/01/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=10/08/2009

Continuing Simulation at 10/08/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=10/15/2009

Continuing Simulation at 10/15/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=10/22/2009

Continuing Simulation at 10/22/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=10/29/2009

Continuing Simulation at 10/29/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=11/05/2009

Continuing Simulation at 11/05/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=11/12/2009

Continuing Simulation at 11/12/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=11/19/2009

Continuing Simulation at 11/19/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=11/26/2009

Continuing Simulation at 11/26/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=12/03/2009

Continuing Simulation at 12/03/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=12/10/2009

Continuing Simulation at 12/10/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=12/17/2009

Continuing Simulation at 12/17/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=12/24/2009

Continuing Simulation at 12/24/2009 for RUN PERIOD 1

Updating Shadowing Calculations, Start Date=12/31/2009

Writing tabular output file results using HTML format.

Computing Life Cycle Costs and Reporting

Writing final SQL reports

ReadVarsESO program starting.

Requested ESO file=FYP36.eso

does not exist. ReadVarsESO program terminated.

ReadVarsESO program terminated.

ReadVarsESO program starting.

Requested ESO file=FYP36.mtr

does not exist. ReadVarsESO program terminated.

ReadVarsESO program terminated.

EnergyPlus Run Time=00hr 03min 19.24sec

EnergyPlus Completed Successfully.

Thierry Nouidui

unread,

Aug 4, 2020, 6:58:15 AM8/4/20

to bc...@googlegroups.com

Do you see the results when you are running the example file that comes along with the BCVTB?

Does EnergyPlus generate a .csv file that contains the results?

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "bcvtb" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bcvtb+un...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bcvtb/6559a47e-3b74-4c41-8a95-db7497a0659dn%40googlegroups.com.

--

Prof. Thierry Nouidui

Nouidui Consulting Group

https://nouidui.com/index.php/consulting/

choy tuck wai

unread,

Aug 5, 2020, 2:18:36 AM8/5/20

to bcvtb

No i am not able to generate a csv file.

Actually right now I cannot even run my energy plus file standalone(not on bcvtb) when i add in all the external interface coding and output variable in this idf file.

It will generate this error and my simulation will stop:

Severe ** ExternalInterface: Did not find file "socket.cfg".

** ~~~ ** This file needs to be in same directory as in.idf.

** ~~~ ** Check the documentation for the ExternalInterface.

** Fatal ** Error in ExternalInterface: Check EnergyPlus *.err file.

...Summary of Errors that led to program termination:

..... Reference severe error count=1

..... Last severe error=ExternalInterface: Did not find file "socket.cfg".

This is the link to my idf file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mff7UGomRTCfOBOayt_jd8zeBM6sqYRH/view?usp=sharing

I am really thankful for your help.

Thierry Nouidui

unread,

Aug 5, 2020, 3:27:07 AM8/5/20

to bc...@googlegroups.com

First, I suggest reading the documentation of the BCVTB a bit, especially the section that discusses EnergyPlus examples if you haven't done yet.

Second, make sure that the EnergyPlus example file you have mentioned runs

Third, you can then customize that example file according to your needs.

Note: If you have external interface objects in your IDF, you won't be able to run that IDF as standalone.

Thanks!

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bcvtb/ecc5d036-b5a5-4560-b65b-3858c33a1da7n%40googlegroups.com.

choy tuck wai

unread,

Aug 6, 2020, 12:55:42 AM8/6/20

to bcvtb

Thank you for the information and I have also read the following documentatio as mentioned.

I have tried running the SMoffPSZ IDF file in the example for 85-Schedule and I managed to run it however when i run my own new own example IDF file, I encounter the error as shown below despite me changing my own example idf to the same configurations for external interface:schedule, thermostat dualsetpoint and output variable as the SMoffPSZ IDF file

My own example idf file(standalone) is able to work before i input all these configurations into it but when i input all these configurations into it then it suddenly dont work anymore.

This is the link to my new own idf example: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nMmkdcf7mOmUOpJbPS8-HBeEbte7yaG9/view?usp=sharing

1. This error is from output of .systemEnergyplus:

Running EPMacro...

ExpandObjects Started.

No expanded file generated.

ExpandObjects Finished. Time: 0.172

EnergyPlus Starting

EnergyPlus, Version 9.2.0-921312fa1d, YMD=2020.08.06 12:42

Instantiating Building Controls Virtual Test Bed

ExternalInterface initializes.

Opaque part contains invalid character: \

Number of outputs in ExternalInterface = 4

Number of inputs in ExternalInterface = 2

**FATAL:Error in ExternalInterface: Check EnergyPlus *.err file.

EnergyPlus Run Time=00hr 00min 10.97sec

Program terminated: EnergyPlus Terminated--Error(s) Detected.

Error: Unspecified error when reading from socket.

2. The second error is from the bcvtb java script:

ava.lang.NumberFormatException: For input string: " 2"

at java.lang.NumberFormatException.forInputString(Unknown Source)

at java.lang.Integer.parseInt(Unknown Source)

at lbnl.actor.lib.net.Server.read(Server.java:251)

at lbnl.actor.lib.Simulator._readFromServer(Simulator.java:386)

at lbnl.actor.lib.Simulator.initialize(Simulator.java:788)

at ptolemy.actor.Director.initialize(Director.java:939)

at ptolemy.actor.Director.initialize(Director.java:908)

at ptolemy.actor.sched.StaticSchedulingDirector.initialize(StaticSchedulingDirector.java:159)

at ptolemy.domains.sdf.kernel.SDFDirector.initialize(SDFDirector.java:544)

at ptolemy.actor.CompositeActor.initialize(CompositeActor.java:929)

at ptolemy.actor.Manager.initialize(Manager.java:715)

at ptolemy.actor.Manager.execute(Manager.java:354)

at ptolemy.actor.Manager.run(Manager.java:1252)

at ptolemy.actor.Manager$PtolemyRunThread.run(Manager.java:1903)

Thierry Nouidui

unread,

Aug 6, 2020, 2:16:10 AM8/6/20

to bc...@googlegroups.com

Please share a zip-file containing all the resources needed to reproduce your problem (IDF, .cfg, xml).

Thank you

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bcvtb/fa0dc4c9-a2a9-4a1d-afbe-abd97f1dacfdn%40googlegroups.com.

choy tuck wai

unread,

Aug 6, 2020, 5:27:48 AM8/6/20

to bcvtb

Thank you so much for your prompt response, I really appreciate it!

This is the google shared link that can find my .zip file : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L7eh2TMXWb9BEkfIO3p8-NNM93f7EP7e/view?usp=sharing

The FYP38.idf is my own example idf file with all the configurations already added in such as the external interface and output variable etc.

The SmOffPSZ.idf is the example file found in the 85-schedule example which is able to work.

The system.xml file is the bcvtb programme for 85-schedule example

The variables.cfg is the cfg file for the 85-schedule example

Both IDF file is running on version 9.2.0 .

Thierry Nouidui

unread,

Aug 6, 2020, 8:48:08 AM8/6/20

to bc...@googlegroups.com

Please share a zip file that contains the file that will reproduce the error you are encountering.Looking at the xml you have shared, I see that it is not invoking your IDF file. So please send the correct xml file.

BTW: Best will be to transition your IDF file to EnergyPlus 9.3. Check if the transitioned file works well in EnergyPlus standalone by commenting out the next two lines.

ExternalInterface,
PtolemyServer; !- Name of External Interface

You can leave the other external interface objects in the file.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bcvtb/0b2ded14-3403-4eec-a3d4-8a9503cc9442n%40googlegroups.com.

choy tuck wai

unread,

Aug 6, 2020, 7:52:58 PM8/6/20

to bcvtb

Thank you for your reply. My sincere apologies, I am not sure which XML file I should send you so I will included all the files that I received after running my own example (FYP38) on BCVTB once in the google link below.

This is the google link for all the files as mentioned: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10PTGFjXD_iQthvxMfPX1aop7DD9Orpw1/view?usp=sharing

This is the google link for the weather file i use in bcvtb : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-5z3dx-BgyUUw82V5FkXb-ixu2B8ccY/view?usp=sharing

P.S I have change the energyplus name"ZSF1" to "Learning Workshop 4" in the variable.cfg file.

Actually after trying for one whole night, I managed to get the bcvtb to work with my own weather file and FYP38 as I did not not include the other 2 output variable which are the "site outdoor air drybulb temperature" and "Zone air Temperature" in my output variable for my FYP38 idf file. However regarding this , may I check with you on the following question:

1. when I specify a certain EnergyPlus name for a energyplus variable in the variable.cfg, means that in my output:variable in my own idf, that variable must have the same key name as the energyplus name stated in the variable.cfg file right?

2. what does * means in a keyname in output:variable?

Even though i managed to run energyplus successfully in BCVTB, when i open the FYP38 error file, i still get the following error:

Severe ** Output:PreprocessorMessage="EPMacro" has the following Severe conditions:

** ~~~ ** at approximately input line number=2304: column=13

** ~~~ ** undefined macro name referenced

** ~~~ ** symbol=degree[

** ~~~ ** refer to <file>.epmdet for details

3. May I check with you if this error will affect my result in anyway?

Thank you so much your guidance and I hope to hear from you soon.

Thierry Nouidui

unread,

Aug 7, 2020, 8:37:06 AM8/7/20

to bc...@googlegroups.com

My answers inline

On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 2:53 AM choy tuck wai <choyt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you for your reply. My sincere apologies, I am not sure which XML file I should send you so I will included all the files that I received after running my own example (FYP38) on BCVTB once in the google link below.

This is the google link for all the files as mentioned: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10PTGFjXD_iQthvxMfPX1aop7DD9Orpw1/view?usp=sharing
This is the google link for the weather file i use in bcvtb : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-5z3dx-BgyUUw82V5FkXb-ixu2B8ccY/view?usp=sharing

P.S I have change the energyplus name"ZSF1" to "Learning Workshop 4" in the variable.cfg file.

Actually after trying for one whole night, I managed to get the bcvtb to work with my own weather file and FYP38 as I did not not include the other 2 output variable which are the "site outdoor air drybulb temperature" and "Zone air Temperature" in my output variable for my FYP38 idf file. However regarding this , may I check with you on the following question:

1. when I specify a certain EnergyPlus name for a energyplus variable in the variable.cfg, means that in my output:variable in my own idf, that variable must have the same key name as the energyplus name stated in the variable.cfg file right?

Please read the BCVTB documentation as well as the External Interface documentation of EnergyPlus

2. what does * means in a keyname in output:variable?

Please check the Input/Output reference of EnergyPlus.

Even though i managed to run energyplus successfully in BCVTB, when i open the FYP38 error file, i still get the following error:

Severe ** Output:PreprocessorMessage="EPMacro" has the following Severe conditions:
** ~~~ ** at approximately input line number=2304: column=13
** ~~~ ** undefined macro name referenced
** ~~~ ** symbol=degree[
** ~~~ ** refer to <file>.epmdet for details

3. May I check with you if this error will affect my result in anyway?

This seems to be related to EnergyPlus. I hence suggest to see if you can reproduce the problem when you run the IDF in EnergyPlus standalone excluding the external interface objects. If that is the case, submit your question to unmethours.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bcvtb/ecc7effb-89d8-4434-ba10-f03825ded70dn%40googlegroups.com.

choy tuck wai

unread,

Aug 7, 2020, 10:40:47 PM8/7/20

to bcvtb

ok noted thank you so much for your help!

Reply all

Reply to author

Forward