COMFIE
Performs hourly simulations of buildings, in order to provide mechanical, energy and architectural engineers or architects with accurate estimates of a building's energy needs and temperature profiles. The zone models of COMFIE are based upon a finite volume method on which a modal reduction technique is applied. The output comprises the yearly and hourly heating loads, hourly and mean temperatures in the thermal zones. COMFIE building model is also coupled to additional modules (PV generation, earth tube). Graphs and histograms may be obtained from PLEAIDES, the user-friendly interface of COMFIE. Screen Shots
Keywords
energy performance, design, retrofit, residential buildings, commercial buildings, passive solar
Validation/Testing
BESTEST benchmark, Passys program, comparison with on-site measurements from the passive experimental platform INCAS (INES, France)
Expertise Required
High level of computer literacy not required.
Users
Over 2,700.
Audience
Mechanical, energy, and architectural engineers working for architect/engineer firms, architects, consulting firms, utilities, federal agencies, universities, and research laboratories.
Input
Building geometry, thermal characteristics, internal loads and schedules, climate, heating and cooling equipment characteristics. Readable, structured input file are generated by PLEIADES the user-friendly interface completed by ALCYONE, the 2D graphical input and 3D display interface.
Output
Formatted reports printed directly by PLEIADES; including input and output (tables and graphs).
Computer Platform
PC-compatible, Windows XP (>1 Ghz), Vista, 7 or 8 (>2 Ghz).
Programming Language
Pascal Delfi
Strengths
COMFIE has a user-friendly interface (ALCYONE/PLEIADES) ; dynamic simulation allows for analysis of thermal comfort and passive solar structures ; focusing on the envelope allows for use by architects ; COMFIE is also linked to a life cycle assessment software (EQUER) allowing environmental evaluation of the building.
Weaknesses
Equipment is modeled very simply (maximum power, set point, position of the thermostat in the building). Moisture is not accounted for.
Contact
Company: |
ARMINES |
Address: |
60, Bd St Michel |
Telephone: |
+ 33 (1) 40519151 |
Facsimile: |
+ 33 (1) 46342491 |
E-mail: |
|
Website: |
http://www.dep.mines-paristech.fr/Valorisation/Logiciels/COMFIE/ |
Availability
Editor Contact: IZUBA Energies Ecosite Route des Salins 34140 Meze France Tel : +33 467187702 Fax : +33 467430124 e-mail : contact@izuba.fr Web : http://www.izuba.fr/ Software price is €1100 (approx. $1400) for new installations. This package contains the executable, ALCYONE (graphic module) + PLEIADES (user-friendly interface in French/English) + METEOCALC (weather file processor), weather files as well as documentation. Contact the author or the editor for additional information.