English
equa-logo

IDA Districts Logo

 

Physics-based simulation for

heating, cooling and anergy networks

IDA Districts simulates buildings, heating, cooling and anergy networks, energy sources, storage and control strategies as one integrated energy system. The simulation is dynamic, physics-based and also covers complex ring, multi-source, bidirectional and meshed networks.

Planning certainty starts with simulation.
This delivers reliable decision support for planning, sizing, operation and transformation of thermal district and energy systems.

Request a demo → Free trial

Solna QGIS IDA Districts
 

The challenge

Thermal networks are becoming more and more complex

Planners, utilities and operators face many questions at once, and static calculations are no longer enough.

  • Which network temperatures make sense in the long term, also for cooling and anergy concepts?
  • How do ring, multi-source and meshed networks behave under changing flow directions?
  • What role do heat pumps, seasonal storage and prosumers play?
  • How do control strategies and operating modes affect stability and losses?
  • Which investments are truly viable, including extension and transformation scenarios?
GIS-based network topology in IDA Districts
 

The solution

Simulation instead of assumptions

IDA Districts models thermal district and energy systems dynamically and physics-based, combining buildings, network hydraulics, energy sources, storage and control strategies.

  • Test, compare and validate technical concepts before implementation
  • Realistically assess flow directions, bottlenecks and critical operating states
  • Reliable basis for investment, operation and transformation decisions
IDA Districts user interface
 

What makes IDA Districts unique

Holistic simulation of buildings, networks and plants

Most tools look at either buildings or networks. IDA Districts combines both in one physics-based integrated model for heating, cooling and anergy systems.

 

Coupled simulation: buildings, pipe network, plants, storage and renewable sources
How do buildings respond to network temperatures?

Dynamic feedback between building load and network operation, including storage effects.

How do loads affect hydraulics?

Pressure, mass flow and temperature are calculated in a coupled, time-dependent way.

How do control strategies affect network stability?

PI controllers, thresholds and prioritisation logic, all in one simulation run.

How do network losses evolve over time?

Physics-based pipe models with soil coupling, insulation and real burial profiles.

 

Capabilities

A powerful simulation platform for thermal energy systems

Dynamic, physics-based system simulation

Simulation of the entire thermal energy system, with coupled buildings, networks, sources, storage and controls over time.

Hydraulics, network design and sizing

Dynamic thermo-hydraulic pipe network simulation, analysis of pressure, mass flows and critical network points, including multi-pipe systems such as 4-pipe networks.

Complex network topologies

Radial, tree, ring and meshed networks, multi-source and bidirectional systems, analysis of changing flow directions and critical operating states.

Flexible network concepts and modelling

Heating, cooling, LowEx and anergy networks, cold local heating and bidirectional systems, flexible modelling of sources, storage and consumers.

Analysis, control and optimisation

Simulation of complex control strategies, variant and scenario analyses, evaluation of efficiency, network losses and temperature concepts.

GIS integration via QGIS

Generate districts and network topologies directly from geospatial data, with a consistent data flow between the GIS world and dynamic simulation.

 

Supported network concepts

From classical sizing to bidirectional anergy networks

IDA Districts covers both classical and modern thermal network concepts, whether you are sizing new structures or transforming existing legacy networks.

 

Radial and tree networks

Classical network planning and sizing.

Ring networks

Assessment of redundancy and security of supply.

Meshed networks

Complex hydraulics and changing flow directions.

Multi-source networks

Optimisation of multiple generators, storage and feed-in points.

Cold local heating networks

Coupling of sources, buildings and heat pumps.

Bidirectional networks

Modelling of prosumers, waste heat and reverse feed-in.

Legacy networks

Analysis of bottlenecks, extension and transformation.

Multi-pipe systems

For example, 4-pipe networks for combined heating and cooling supply.

 

Inside the product

From geospatial data to a print-ready report

IDA Districts fits into your planning workflow, from GIS-based network creation through physics-based simulation to automated reporting.

 

QGIS with IDA Districts plugin

QGIS Integration

Build networks directly from geospatial data

The QGIS plugin connects IDA Districts to your GIS world. Buildings, pipe routes, connections and consumers are taken directly from geospatial data, delivering entire districts in just a few minutes.

  • Import building footprints and pipe routes directly
  • Automatic generation of network topology
  • Consistent data flow between GIS and simulation

 

Simulation environment

Model, simulate, understand

The IDA Districts interface brings together network topology, component models and dynamic results in a single environment. Control strategies, pipe bundles and sources are modelled as linked objects, with direct access to every variable.

  • Object-oriented modelling of buildings, sources, storage and controls
  • Dynamic profiles of temperature, pressure and mass flow in real-time plots
  • Modelica translator for custom and research component models
IDA Districts user interface

 

Reporting and KPIs

Reliable KPIs, from worst point to energy density

IDA Districts automatically generates print-ready reports with network maps, KPIs and analyses. The hydraulic worst point can be visualised directly from the simulation, including pressure and elevation profiles along the critical route.

  • Worst-point analysis with pressure and elevation profile
  • Heat demand, energy density, linear density and network losses as KPIs
  • Direct comparability between variants and transformation scenarios
Worst-point analysis
Automatically generated IDA Districts report
 

Typical use cases

Where IDA Districts is used

Planning, sizing and system understanding

Sizing of pipes, pumps and generators, analysis of load flows and temperature distribution, investigation of complex ring, multi-source and meshed networks.

Operation, economics and optimisation

Optimisation of operating strategies, reduction of energy losses, evaluation of supply, return and network temperatures, economic comparison of operating modes.

Transformation, extension and integration

Integration of renewable energy and waste heat, incorporation of seasonal heat storage, transformation to LowEx, anergy or bidirectional networks.

Resilience, security and operating scenarios

Simulation of pipe rupture, pump or generator failure, analysis of redundancies and security of supply, evaluation of alternative supply paths.

Climate protection, regulation and innovation

Verification of CO₂ savings, comparison of decarbonisation pathways, evaluation of climate-friendly heating, cooling and anergy concepts, virtual test bench for research, control and education.

 

Audience and benefits

Who IDA Districts is built for

IDA Districts supports planners, utilities, operators and investors in designing thermal district and energy systems that are efficient, resilient and climate-friendly.

 

Consulting engineers and planning offices

MEP · energy consulting · planning

Greater planning certainty
Realistic simulation reduces uncertainty.

Fewer planning errors
Bottlenecks, oversizing and hydraulic issues are identified early.

Complex networks made manageable
Ring, multi-source and meshed networks become transparent and assessable.

Stronger basis for decisions
Simulation results support decisions and communication.

Utilities and operators

Municipal utilities · network operators · heat supply

Optimised network operation
Generators, storage, consumers and the network are better coordinated.

Reduced operating costs
Losses and inefficient operating modes can be reduced systematically.

Robust transformation strategies
Decarbonisation and renewables become realistically assessable.

Higher security of supply
Redundancies, outages and alternative supply paths become simulatable.

Developers and investors

Project developers · municipalities · city planners

Well-founded investment decisions
Economic viability, risks and system performance become assessable early.

More transparency
Simulation shows how the system is likely to perform in operation.

Fewer wrong decisions
Concepts are tested and compared before implementation.

Proof of sustainability
CO₂ savings and efficiency potentials become quantifiable.

 

Trust

Built by EQUA

For more than 30 years, EQUA has been a pioneer in physics-based simulation of buildings and energy systems. With solutions like IDA ICE, we support engineers worldwide. With IDA Districts, we extend this expertise to thermal district and energy systems.

30+

years of simulation expertise

30+

countries in use

5.000+

engineers worldwide

IDA Districts
 

Get started

Plan thermal networks with simulation

Test concepts virtually before you build them. Make informed decisions for climate-friendly and cost-efficient heating, cooling and anergy systems.

Request a demo → Start a free trial

 

Print Email

 A new majority partner in EQUA

 

February 8, 2023
Press release

We are pleased to announce that the Finnish MEP CAD developer MagiCAD Group Oy, owned by the Chinese listed software company Glodon, has acquired a majority stake in EQUA Simulation AB. MagiCAD is a valued tool by many of our IDA ICE users, especially in the Nordic countries, and EQUA has been working with the MagiCAD Group for over twenty years, mainly in the area of BIM data exchange. Glodon, which has owned MagiCAD Group since 2014, is the leading Chinese provider of digital tools for building construction. Tools for automated quantity takeoff have been the springboard for Glodon, but for several years the company has been focusing on creating a fully digital construction process, from concept to operation. The investment in EQUA represents an ambition to include building performance simulation as a standard integral part of the process.

In addition to several synergies between the companies, having a strong and motivated main partner opens a number of opportunities for EQUA that were previously out of reach. We are now able to build better competence redundancy and are equipped to maintain R&D focus on more areas and time scales.

The new partner is fully committed to maintaining and improving our current level of customer service. No drastic changes to existing products are planned.

 

About MagiCAD Group
MagiCAD Group, a subsidiary of Glodon Company Limited, is a global software provider with the mission to help engineering, manufacturing and construction companies create better buildings for both people and the planet. With 40 years of experience in Building Information Modelling (BIM), MagiCAD’s team of passionate software professionals continues to provide customers with intelligent solutions that make engineering, design, and construction management work quicker, more efficient, and more profitable. MagiCAD software and solutions are used by thousands of companies in over 160 countries, including WSP, Ramboll, AECOM, Arup, Skanska, Grohe, Lindab, Schneider Electric, and Aquatherm.
www.magicad.com

 4.8 floorplan2 800

 

Print Email

Highlights in IDA ICE 5.00

 

Learn more about IDA ICE here

 

leaf New climate zone model with arbitrary shape and stratification1

A new zone model for detailed indoor climate analysis with results visualized in a 2D/3D-grid of the zone volume (air temperature, air velocity, operative temperature, draught risk, CO2, PPD, PMV). The new model supports:

  • Detailed radiation for arbitrary room geometry (also non-convex) with detailed view factor calculation, for long-wave and diffuse solar radiation exchange between surfaces and between surfaces and occupants.
  • Air stratification based on flow elements such as jets, plumes, and wall currents, e.g. cold air draft close to window in winter.
  • Operative temperature with, optionally, direct and diffuse short-wave radiation taken into account.
  • Equipment and other loads with position in the zone.
  • Position dependent sensors.

 

4.8 floorplan2 800


 

 

 

leafPhotovoltaics and battery storage1

State-of-the-art tool for analysis of building-integrated PV-systems with arbitrary location and multiple arrays. The effect of shading on electricity production due to row-to-row self-shading and shading form surrounding objects is analyzed at cell level. The new tool supports:

  • AC modules (PV module + micro inverter).
  • DC modules in string configuration with different levels of DC optimizers.
  • DC optimizers just for shaded modules (selective deployment).
  • Inverter power clipping and load sharing between the inputs.
  • Battery storage and energy management system for user-defined battery operation.
  • Energy management system to control battery charge/discharge, and energy trading.
  • Building to module thermal interaction.
  • New Electrical energy report and easy logging of time series in the electrical system.
  • Calculation and reports of load matching indicators according to ISO/FDIS 52000-1:2016(E) Annex G.

 

4.8 spectral 1200

  

leaf Improvements for Parametric runs1

The Parametric runs interface has been improved with these features:

  • Supports all available simulation types including daylight (also combinations of simulations).
  • Parallel coordinates plot.

4.8 spectral 1200

 

 

leaf Improved plant modelling1

Plant modelling made easier and more powerful with:

  • A new flow node model for bi- (or uni-) directional flow paths.
  • Plug-flow and finite-difference bi-directional models for pipe network modelling for, e.g., district heating networks.
  • A new palette with selected components ordered by functionality.
  • Circuit checks allowing the user to identify modelling errors in a simpler way.
  • A tag system that describes and categorizes the models. (not fully available in the first public beta).
  • New user forms making it easier to find and understand the main parameters, log variables and get information about the component.
  • Product database support for several components, such as heat pumps, solar thermal collectors, and pumps.

4.8 spectral 1200

 

 

leaf New heat pump and chiller models

A new model for variable capacity heat pumps and chillers is included. The model is based on the standard polynomials for compressor performance according to EN12900/ARI540. It provides accurate models for a majority of products using compressors in fix speed, variable speed, tandem and multiple staged configurations. Manufacturers can upload product data themselves for immediate access by users.

 

 

leaf Multiple hot and cold-water distribution circuits

An unlimited number of hot and cold-water circuits from the plant can now be added. It is possible to have different heating and cooling circuits with different temperatures to any room unit or air handling unit.
 

4.8 spectral 1200

 

leaf Improved BIM import and export (only available in ESBO)²

Import zone geometry from CAD models created in CAD tools, e.g. DDS-CAD and MagiCAD, and export simulation results back to the CAD tool. Any CAD tool that can export IFC files with spaces and space boundaries can be supported.

Introduction of zone templates in ESBO. After setting up a number of zone templates with the desired constructions, surface materials, window types, internal gains, indoor climate standard and room units etc., this data is fetched from the zone templates during the BIM import. This method works for both IFC and the new plug-ins.

 

4.8 spectral 1200

  

 

leaf New Delivered energy report that supports energy production and export

The new report gives an overview over the total energy demand based on EN ISO 52000-1.

  • Extended concept of energy meters with new meter roles allows to meter used energy as well as produced, stored or converted energy.
  • New object "energy trader" defines economical interests (like utility, facility, tenants, PV plant owners etc.) that can trade energy between each other.
  • Primary energy and CO2 factors defined for energy passing the so-called «assessment boundary» ecologically weight delivered and exported electricity, district heating/cooling and fuel.
  • New object "energy contract" between traders defines (potentially time-dependent) energy costs.
  • Monthly balance per energy carrier containing used, produced, purchased, and exported energy.
  • Monthly cost overview per trader.
  • Overall total and non-renewable primary energy as well as CO2 emission.

 

4.8 spectral 1200

 


leaf New glazing report

A new detailed glazing report has been developed with properties calculated according to EN ISO 52022-3, EN 410 and ISO 15099.

4.8 spectral 1200

 

 

leaf New types of integrated shading

Three new types of typical shading devices can now easily be selected for the detailed window model; Switchable glass panes (e.g. electrochromic panes), Interior vertical slat curtains and Exterior vertical slats. Access to manufacturer data for shading materials has been enabled. The shading devices are visualized in the 3D view. 

4.8 spectral 1200

 

leaf New component models

IDA ICE 5.0 includes a number of new component models. Here are a few examples:

  • Finite-difference underground duct model with wall condensation1
  • Large vertical opening for the new stratified zone model1.
  • Modelica implementation of energy zone model.
  • New cooling coil (improved wet/dry modelling and flow-dependent UA).
  • Improved solar collector (model and record in database).
  • Passage opening control model for openings in a series (e.g. sliding doors)1
  • New valve models (based on characteristic curves)1.
  • New air handling unit with liquid based heat recovery.
  • New air handling unit with direct expansion (DX) heat recovery.

 

 

leaf New online help center

From IDA ICE 5.0 there is a central space with all documentation for your daily work available online at the EQUA WIKI. Press F1 within IDA ICE to access it. Use the search function.

4.8 spectral 1200

 

leaf Usability and productivity improvements

IDA ICE 5.0 includes a large number of usability and productivity improvements, many of them suggested by our users. Here are a few examples:

  • Output report of calculation of total weight of materials for, e.g., LCA studies. (An add-in for One Click LCA is available.)1
  • Select from a map when downloading weather data.
  • To make it easier to work with multiple computer screens, most tabs and forms in IDA ICE open in windows that can be moved outside of the IDA ICE main window.
  • Special simulations (such as cooling/heating load) at advanced level1.
  • Wall parts, H/C floors, windows and openings with custom shape, e.g. triangular windows.
  • ESBO-style default plant in ICE building with standard ICE boiler and chiller.
  • Possibility to remove results of selected simulation.
  • Possibility to edit the grid of windows/shading objects/PV panels in the dialog.
  • A warning is shown when opening a file saved in a previous version of IDA ICE.
  • More information in the list of resources.
  • More detailed tooltips in diagrams.
  • Progress bar shows total time in split-time mode.
  • Revised energy meters to support variable and additional energy factors.
  • Annotations tab on all objects where the user can take notes.

 


leaf Improved memory management

The solver is updated to a 64 bit executable, which gives the possibility to simulate larger models with larger memory constraint (in principle 6TB) compared to the 32 bit 4Gb memory limit. It is still possible to run the 32 bit solver.

 

 

leaf Real-time simulation feedback1

At the advanced level the changing variable values can be monitored during simulation by opening the outline of a component. In the schematic view connectors are updated according to temperature and mass flow.

Sensors can be added in the 3D view and variable values can be shown on the sensor or animated with colors on zones or imported geometry.

 

4.8 spectral 1200


 1 Included in the Expert edition.

2 Included in the Expert edition and available as extension (BIM Import) to the Standard edition.

 
 

Print Email

Highlights in IDA ICE 5.1.1 

Learn more about IDA ICE here


leafYearly climate-based daylight1 calculation using Radiance™

daylight800

 Until recently, the daylight factor (DF) was the most widely used metric for evaluating daylight performance. However, it is a simplified method that does not consider factors such as orientation, direct sunlight, local climatic conditions, or dynamic shading systems.

The new yearly climate-based daylight function in IDA ICE offers a major step forward by incorporating all of these factors. Using actual weather data for every hour of the year, IDA ICE can simulate daylight with high accuracy.

This capability can also be used for solar radiation studies with high accuracy including reflections in nearby objects and complex shadings, detailed overheating risk assessments, and PV-analysis. Climate-based daylighting is often used in local building codes and certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and DIN V 18599. 

Key features of climate-based daylighting in IDA ICE:

  • Easy to setup, simulation, and visualization — entirely within IDA ICE
  • Calculation of selected zones or user-defined measuring planes placed inside or outside of the building.
  • Support for fixed shading systems
  • Support for detailed window shadings like venetian blinds and switchable panes
  • Results are presented in customizable reports and interactive 3D views, with color-coded field visualizations and the option to display the percentage of area above or below a threshold value
  • Common predefined daylight metrics like Spatial daylight autonomy (sDA) and Useful daylight autonomy (UDI) during daylight hours that can be easily adapted
  • Support for Relative annual useful illuminance according to DIN V18599
  • Yearly external irradiance


 leaf Improved productivity and stability

IDA ICE 5.1.1 contains more than a hundred bug and stability fixes. These will not affect numerical results but will help improve the overall experience of using IDA ICE. A major effort has been made to avoid data loss due to memory limitations.


leafNew feature - Unloading CAD objects

You can now unload CAD files (e.g. DWG) while preserving key data such as insert point, scale, and transparency, making it easier to work with multi-level models where each floor has a separate CAD file.
 


 leaf Improved 3D animation of simulation results (beta)

3D animation

IDA ICE now includes a new 3D animation tab, offered as an alternative to the existing animation view. This new tab delivers significantly improved performance — supporting much larger models and simulation datasets — and introduces a number of powerful features designed to enhance workflows, particularly for climate-based daylighting analysis and for the upcoming CFD extension.

Some of these features are:

List of Animations: With this new concept it is possibility to add and save a number of visualizations. When an animation object is created and a specific variable is visualized, the settings of this visualization are automatically saved and stored in the animation object. 

Variable list: A new feature in the Animation tab is that the result is visualized directly after selecting a variable instead of pressing 'Show', then 'Close' and then 'Animation' and finally selecting a new variable. In order to get a better overview of variables for animation, it is possible to expand the variable list (by clicking on the expand icon) in a separate window which can also be positioned on a separate screen.

Visualization options: Options are dynamically hidden and shown, cut levels can be given numerically and visualization of cut plane is automatically hidden.

Custom views: With this feature, users can define and save arbitrary many custom views for easy access of different settings like view angle and camera distance in the custom view for the building. To indicate that custom views are available, the 3D model in Animation tab has a text overly at the bottom center of the pane showing 'Custom views' and numbers of views defined. 

Custom cuts: This feature offers custom section cuts in any direction. Sections cut direction can also be created from reference surfaces. 

Cell data: This option allows users to turn off the interpolated result.


leafVDI 2078 Cooling load calculation extension2

The VDI 2078 cooling load simulation, available as part of the Germany localization, provides an efficient way to perform cooling load calculations in compliance with the VDI 2078 guidelines – a standard frequently required as a minimum specification in German building projects. Fully integrated into the IDA ICE modeling interface, this feature enables automated cooling load calculations directly based on your original IDA ICE model, with minimal additional input.

  • Selection of location-specific data according to VDI 2078, directly in the new VDI 2078 tab
  • Definition of periodic and aperiodic load calculations
  • Automatic conversion of the detailed window model into the VDI-compliant window parameterization
  • Automatic adjustment of the native IDA ICE zone model and relevant boundary conditions using VDI-compliant calculation methods
  • Fully automated generation of a VDI 2078-compliant results report
  • Presentation of VDI 2078 results in the familiar IDA ICE results interface – including detailed outputs and summary views
 

 1 Included in the Expert edition and available as extension (Daylight) to the Standard edition. 

2 Included in Localization Germany. 

 

Print Email