Contents

Getting Started

• Introduction to TOP-Energy
• Installation, Versions, Update
• Starting TOP-Energy
• Modeling and Simulation of an Energy System
• Variants of an Energy System
• Comparing Variants
• Quick Access to Time Series
• Generating Reports

Basic Training Videos

• Basic Training Videos
• 01/39 Training Example Presentation
• 02/39 Training Goals
• 03/39 Tutorials
• 04/39 Online Documentation
• 05/39 User Interface
• 06/39 Positioning
• 07/39 Weather Data Sources
• 08/39 Time Series Overview Task 1
• 09/39 Visualization of Time Series
• 10/39 Visualization of Time Series Task 2
• 11/39 Base Data Adjustments
• 12/39 Modeling a Simple Electrical System
• 13/39 Overview of Electricity Tariff
• 14/39 Model Simulation
• 15/39 Review of Simulation Results
• 16/39 Impact and Influence of the Target Function
• 17/39 Design Options of Heating Components
• 18/39 Error Analysis
• 19/39 Review of Simulation Results Task 3
• 20/39 Importing Time Series and Standard Time Series

Typical Use Cases

General Handling

• Importing Data
• Exporting Data
• Creating and Managing a Customized Component Template Library
• Saving, Backing Up, Restoring Projects
• Only for Users of Systems With Non-Latin Characters

Modeling

• Tutorial 63: Compliance With Temperature Specifications for Parallel Connections
• Heat Recovery Steam Generator (e.g., combined cycle)
• Feedwater Preheating (steam)
• Tutorial 62: Series Connection to Increase the Temperature Level
• Series and Parallel Connection of Heat Components
• Avoiding Peak Loads
• Integrating Storages
• Entering Customized Operation Modes
• Determining the Optimum Plant Size
• Controlling Performance

Working With Time Series

• Integrating Time Series Into Simulations
• Preparing Time Series for Simulation (resolution, time range)
• Using Weather Data
• Evaluating Peak Load Time Windows
• Deriving New Load Courses from Existing Projects
• Coincidence Factor

Result Analysis

• Sensitivity Analysis
• Visualizing Results

TOP-Energy and Modules

TOP-Energy User Interface

• User Interface

  • Structure of User Interface
  • Ribbons
  • Project Ribbon
  • Home Ribbon
  • Extras Ribbon
  • Project Explorer (TOP-Energy)
  • Component Library
  • Component Template Library
  • Components
  • Component Ribbons
  • Time Series Container
  • Activation of TOP-Energy
• Scheme Editor

  • The Scheme
  • Scheme Ribbon
  • Scheme Options
  • Placing Components
  • Pins
  • Network Routing
  • Hiding Layers
  • Sankey Diagram
  • Tooltips of the Components
  • Placing Drawing Elements on the Scheme
  • Exporting a Scheme
  • Overlay Icons
• Form View

  • The Forms
  • Structure of Forms
  • Simple Form Elements
  • Form Element Number
  • Form Elements Table and Characteristic Curve
  • Form Element Time Series
  • Using Units
  • Global and Local Values
  • Adding, Renaming, and Removing Component Parts
  • Pin Forms
  • Component and Primitive References
  • Estimated Input Data
  • Editing the Output Data
  • Developer Options
  • Project Master Data
  • Watchlist
  • Component Database
• Plot Preview

  • Plot Windows Area
  • Plot Manager
  • Plot Window Ribbon
  • Time Series Properties
• Data Report

  • Structure of the Data Report (Word)
  • Configuring the Data Report
  • Generating a Data Report
• Options

  • General Options
  • Setting Currency, Language, and Number Format
  • Setting Colors
  • Individual Word Report Templates

Simulation and Optimization

• How Simulator Works
• Relevant Input Parameters for Simulation
• Simulation Ribbon
• Look-Ahead
• Time Series Compression
• Year-Round Coupled Optimization
• Simulator Options Menu
• Simulation Form
• Simulation Process
• Calculation Time
• Simulator Progress Screen
• Hybrid Model: MILP and System of Equations (simulation) (in process)
• Finding and Eliminating Error Causes
• Dealing With Numerical Errors (e.g., negative temperatures)

Transformation Paths in the Analysis of Variants

• Economic, Ecological, and Energetic Data in the Variant Analysis
• Managing of Scenarios
• How Energetic Evaluation Works
• How Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Works
• Tutorial 101: CO2 Certificates Pricing Scenarios
• Tutorial 102: Expansion Scenarios

Economic Calculation in the Variant Comparison

• How Economic Evaluation Works
• Economy Ribbon
• Economic Input Data
• Economic Output Data
• Economic Evaluation in the Variant Comparison
• Calculation Procedure of the Economic Evaluation
• Economic Evaluation With Stakeholders
• Result Data of the Economic Evaluation
• Word Report on Economic Evaluation
• Excel Report on Economic Evaluation

Parameter Study

• How Parameter Study Works
• Specifications and Settings for the Parameter Study
• Executing the Parameter Study
• Creating Multi-Dimensional Charts Online
• Results of the Parameter Study

Structural Optimization

• How Structural Optimization Works
• Process Steps of Structural Optimization
• Special Features of Structurally Optimized Components
• Simulation Settings of Structural Optimization
• Multi-Criteria Structural Optimization
• Structural Optimization With Storages

REST API

• TOP-Energy Server Version (REST API)

Energy Forms and Components

• Energy Converters in General
• Storage Components
• Demand Components
• Tariff Components
• Supplier, Feed-In, Source, Sink

Electricity

• Special Features of Electricity (in process)
• Electricity Components

  • Electricity Demand
  • CHP
  • CHP Steam Generator
  • Gas Turbine
  • Diesel Generator
  • ORC Unit
  • E-Mobility
  • Power to Heat
  • Electricity Storage
  • Electrical Source
  • Electricity Converter
  • Electricity Direction Pointer
  • Electricity Supplier
  • Electricity Tariff
  • Electricity Tariff Germany
  • Electricity Tariff CHP Surcharge
  • Electricity Tariff Balancing Power
• Electricity Tutorials

  • Tutorial 03: Comparison of Different Fuels
  • Tutorial 05: Simulating Energy Systems With Storage
  • Tutorial 06: CHP Contracting With Stakeholders
  • Tutorial 13: Combined Heat, Power, and Cooling
  • Tutorial 23: PV Park With Seasonal Fuel Storage
  • Tutorial 28: Comparison of Combustion Engine and Electric Vehicle
  • Tutorial 34: Combined Heat and Power Cycle (gas and steam)
  • Tutorial 70: Variable Electricity Price
  • Tutorial 110: Fleet of Electric Utility Vehicles
  • Tutorial 111: Electricity Market

Heat

• Special Features of Cold and Heat
• Heat Components

  • Heat Demand
  • Heat Demand Heating Limit Temperature
  • Heat Demand Building
  • Hot Water Boiler
  • CHP
  • CHP Steam Generator
  • Power to Heat
  • Heat Storage
  • Stratified Thermal Storage
  • Heat Pump
  • Emergency Cooler
  • Pump
  • Heat Distribution Losses
  • District Heating Supplier
  • District Heating Grid Feed-In
  • Heating Tariff
  • Latent Heat Storage
• Heat Tutorials

  • Tutorial 03: Comparison of Different Fuels
  • Tutorial 05: Simulating Energy Systems With Storage
  • Tutorial 06: CHP Contracting With Stakeholders
  • Tutorial 07: Building Energy System With PV and Heat Pump
  • Tutorial 08: Building Energy System in the Basic Training
  • Tutorial 09: Multi-Temperature System With Stratified Thermal Storage

Cooling

• Special Features of Cold and Heat
• Cooling Components

  • Cooling Demand
  • Cooling Demand Limit Temperature
  • Compression Refrigeration System
  • Absorption Refrigeration System
  • Dry Cooling Tower
  • Wet Cooling Tower
  • Hybrid Cooling Tower
  • Cooling Storage
  • Pump
  • Cooling Network
  • District Cooling Grid Feed-In
  • Cooling Supplier
  • Cooling Tariff
• Cooling Tutorials

  • Tutorial 13: Combined Heat, Power, and Cooling
  • Tutorial 14: Use of Waste Heat From CRS
  • Tutorial 15: Operating Principle of the Cooling Towers

Fuel

• Fuel Special Features
• Fuel Components

  • Fuel Demand
  • Fuel Sources
  • Fuel Storage
  • Fuel Grid Feed In
  • Fuel Mixer
  • Gas Compressor
  • CHP
  • CHP Steam Generator
  • Gas Fuel Supplier
  • Liquid Fuel Supplier
  • Solid Fuel Supplier
  • Fuel Tariff
  • Natural Gas Germany Fuel Tariff
  • Fuel Tariff Tax Refund
  • Fresh Air
• Fuel Tutorials

  • Tutorial 03: Comparison of Different Fuels
  • Tutorial 05: Simulating Energy Systems With Storage
  • Tutorial 06: CHP Contracting With Stakeholders

Renewable Energy Sources

• Special Features of Renewable Energy Sources
• Considering the Degradation of Components
• Renewable Energy Sources Components

  • Solar Radiation
  • Photovoltaics
  • Solar Collector
  • Concentrating Solar Collector
  • Wind Turbine, Wind
  • Geothermal Energy
  • Power-To-Gas
  • Power-to-Liquid
  • Fuel Cell
• Renewable Energy Sources Tutorials

  • Tutorial 23: PV Park With Seasonal Fuel Storage
  • Tutorial 25: Off-Grid Plant With Diesel PV Hybrid System
  • Tutorial 28: Electric Vehicle and Residential House

Steam

• Steam Special Features
• Steam Components

  • Steam Demand Return Flow
  • Steam Compressor
  • Steam Demand Sink
  • Steam Generator
  • CHP Steam Generator
  • Steam Electrode Boiler
  • Steam Turbine
  • Steam Charged Heat Storage
  • Steam Source
  • Feedwater Source
  • Steam Direction Pointer
  • Valve-Mixer
  • Valve-Separator
  • Valve-Throttle
  • Valve-Throttle With Injection
  • Condenser
  • Condensate Pump
  • Condensate Sink
  • State Determination Steam/Condensate
  • Steam Tariff
• Steam Tutorials

  • Tutorial 31: Meeting Steam Demand on Two Pressure Stages
  • Tutorial 32: Clausius Rankine Cycle
  • Tutorial 34: Combined Heat and Power Cycle (gas and steam)

HVAC Systems

• Special Features of the HVAC Components
• HVAC Components

  • Air Demand
  • Cooling Battery
  • Dehumidifier and Dehumidifier With Cooling Demand
  • Electrical Heating Battery
  • Fresh Air
  • Humidifier
  • Warm Water Heating Battery
  • Ventilator
• HVAC Tutorials

  • Tutorial 121: Ventilation of a Wood Storage Facility

Compressed Air

• Special Features of Compressed Air (in process)
• Compressed Air Components

  • Compressed Air Demand
  • Compressed Air Source
  • Filter
  • Air Compressor
  • Compressed Air Network
• Compressed Air Tutorials

  • Tutorial 41: Compressed Air Supply With Heat Recovery

Heat Transfer

• Special Features of Heat Transfer
• Heat Transfer Components

  • External Heat Supply and Feed
  • Heat Extraction From Warm Water and Heat Release To Warm Water
  • Heat Extraction From Cold Water and Heat Release To Cold Water
  • Heat Extraction From Steam and Heat Release To Steam
  • Heat Extraction From Air and Heat Release To Air
  • Heat Source
  • Heat Sink
• Heat Transfer Tutorials

  • Tutorial 50: High and Low Temperature Network
  • Tutorial 52: Heating Register

Operating Constraints

• Special Features of Operating Constraints
• Components of Operational Side Conditions

  • Temperature Constraints With Parallel Connections
  • Temperature Constraints With Series Connections
  • CO2 Restriction
  • Priority
• Tutorials of Operational Side Conditions

  • Tutorial 60: Heat and Electricity Controlled Versus Operational Optimization
  • Tutorial 61: Operating Restrictions
  • Tutorial 62: Series Connection to Increase the Temperature Level
  • Tuorial 63: Compliance With Temperature Specifications for Parallel Connection

Programmable Control

• Selecting Big M
• How Programmable Controls Work
• Programmable Control Components

  • Target Function Operations

    • Target Function
  • User-Defined Control

    • User-Defined Control
  • Calculations

    • Greater Than Or Equal and Less Than Or Equal (L)
    • Integrator
    • Characteristic Curve (A, L)
    • Maximum, Minimum (A, AA, LL)
    • Plus, Minus, Multiplication, Division (AA, LL, LA)
    • Weak Coupling (L)
    • Sum
    • Unary Minus (A, L)
  • Date and Time

    • Minute of Day
    • Hour of Day
    • Weekday
    • Schedule
  • Inputs and Outputs

    • Outputs (A)
    • Inputs (A)
    • Input-Output (L)
    • Fixed Input (A)
    • Free Output (A)
    • Free Output (L)
  • Logical Operators

    • Not, Or, Exclusive-Or, And (A, L, AA, LL)
  • Type Conversion

    • Type Conversion
  • Relational Operators

    • Greater, Less Than, or Equal, (AA, LL)
  • Biforcations

    • If (AAA, LAL, LLL)
  • Time Series Operations

    • Preview and Review (L)

Others

• Key Figures

  • Key Figures
  • Tutorial 90: Key Figures
  • CO2 Factor
  • Tutorial 91: Allocation Methods for Specific CO2 Emissions
  • Primary Energy Factor
  • Self Consumption Rate
  • Self Sufficiency Rate
  • Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
• Error Analysis Components

  • Balance Relaxation
• Material Models

  • Material Models
• Costs Components

  • Stakeholder
  • Costs and Revenues
• Time Series Management Components

  • Import and Export of Time Series
  • Time Series Interface

Engineering Time Series Analyzer (ETA)

User Interface of ETA

• How ETA works
• User Interface (ETA)
• Project Tree (ETA)
• Options Dialog (ETA)
• Creating and Saving Views
• Default Time Series

Time Series Properties

• Time Series with NaNs (empty data points)
• Time Zone
• Equally Spaced and Unequally Spaced
• Data Source
• Concrete and Abstract
• General Information on Time Series
• Properties Window

Time Series Plots

• Simple Time Series Plots
• Stack Plot Window
• X-Y-Z-Plots
• X-Y-Plots
• Synchronizing Plot Windows
• Exporting a Plot Window

Data Grid (value table)

• Working with Value Tables
• Multiple Time Series in a Value Table
• Editing Data in the Value Table

Time Series Methods

• General Information on Time Series Methods
• Import and Export Methods

  • Simple Time Series Export
  • TOP-Energy Export-Template
  • TOP-Energy Import-Macro
  • Copy and Paste with Time Series
  • Time Series Import with Macros
  • Time Series Export Configuration
  • Simple Time Series Import
• Generating Time Series

  • Creating Random Time Series
  • Creating Sine Time Series
  • Creating Simple and Constant Time Series
  • Create From Typical Days
  • Generating a Heat Load Profile
• Changing Time Series Properties

  • Making Equally Spaced
  • Making Unequally Spaced
  • Changing the Time Zone
  • Converting Unit
  • Changing the Sample Time
  • Changing the Length of the Last Sample
  • Changing to Concrete/Abstract
• Methods Modifying Values

  • Scaling Time Series
  • Weather Adjustment
  • Moving Values
  • Imputing Missing Values
• Methods Modifying Points in Time

  • Making Unequally Spaced
  • Making Equally Spaced (preserving integral or interpolating)
  • Split Time Series
  • Synchronizing Points in Time
  • Multiplying Time Series
  • Cutting Periods
  • Adjusting to Calendar Units
  • Moving Points in Time
  • Transferring to Another Year
• Filtering Methods

  • Filtering by Values
  • Filtering Time Spans
• Converting Time Series

  • Time Series Compression
  • Integration, Differentiation
  • Sorting, Creating Duration Curve
  • Totaling, Subtracting Along the Time Axis
  • Time Series Typical Day Compression
• Combining Time Series

  • Appending, Prepending
  • Merging
• Calculating with Time Series

  • Calculator
  • Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing
  • Calculating the Absolute Value of Time Series
• Analytical Methods

  • Cross-Correlation
  • Counting
  • Regression
  • Computing the Correlation Matrix
  • Model Fit
  • Segmented Regression

Modeling Customized Components (for experts)

General Information on Component Modeling

• Concept of Component Modeling (in process)
• Constituents of Components (in process)
• Model of the Power-To-Heat Component (in process)
• Procedure of Component Modeling (in process)

Editors in the Template Editor

• Pin Editor (in process)
• Symbol Editor (in process)
• General (in process)
• Slot and Target (in process)
• Form EFL (in process)
• Update Script (in process)
• EFL Script (in process)
• Data Model (in process)
• Subscheme (in process)

Modeling With Elementary Components

• Simple Elementary Components (in process)
• Form Description of an Elementary Component (in process)
• Concept of Modeling (in process)
• Elementary Components for Energy Conversion (in process)
• Scripts for Switching Elementary Components (in process)
• Further Elementary Components (in process)
• Structural Optimization (in process)
• Connectors (in process)

Default Elementary Components and Boxes

• Efficiency (in process)
• Full Load Hours, eVariant Interface Bundles (in process)
• Demand Boxes (fixOrFree) (in process)
• TariffCosts (in process)
• Solar Radiation Components (in process)
• Steam (in process)
• Compressed Air (in process)
• Programmable Control (in process)
• Operating Costs (in process)
• Sum Component (in process)
• Investment Costs (in process)
• Reinvestments (in process)
• Minimum Part Load (in process)
• Operating Constraints (in process)
• Modeling of Material Models

Modeling Own Elementary Components

• Model Description Language PML (overview) (in process)
• Modeling of Structural Optimization (in process)
• Integral Variables and Storage Modeling (in process)
• Assignment (in process)
• Modeling of Storages and Structural Optimization (PML)
• Constituents of an Elementary Component (in process)
• Creating a Data Model/Primitive (in process)
• Advanced EFL Functions (in process)
• MILP Equations (PML)
• System Functions and Mathematical Functions (PML) (in process)
• Algebraic Equations (PML) (in process)
• Types of Variables and Declaration (PML) (in process)
• If-Conditions (PML) (in process)
• Conventions (in process)
• Material Model Functions (PML) (in process)
• Special Features of the Connectors (in process)
• Case-Conditions (PML) (in process)
• Characteristic Curves (PML) (in process)
• Date and Time Series Functions (PML) (in process)

Java Scripts (update and EFL script)

• Interface Scripts (in process)

Interfaces Between the Modules

• Precheck (in process)
• eVariant (in process)
• Tooltips
• Priority (in process)

Appendix

• Contents
• Component Templates
• Tutorials
• Time Series Methods
• Units
• Key Commands
• Model and Error Messages
• Latest Version—What’s New?
• Known Bugs
• Recently Updated Documentation Articles
• Transferring Projects From TOP-Energy 2.11 to TOP-Energy 3.5