User Manual: Dalrada Vision

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1. Introduction

Welcome to Dalrada Vision, the advanced investment and sustainability simulator designed by Dalrada Climate Technology. This tool allows you to perform a detailed analysis of the technical and economic viability of replacing or hybridizing traditional HVAC systems with our innovative DCT-ONE heat pump.

The goal is to provide you with clear projections on energy savings, cost reduction, return on investment, and the positive environmental impact of your project.

2. Main Interface and Units

In the top-right corner, you will find a dropdown menu to configure the simulation's units and currency. It is crucial to adjust these parameters before entering data to ensure the accuracy of the analysis.

  • Language: Switch between Spanish (ES) and English (EN).
  • Currency: Select between Euros (EUR) and Dollars (USD). The economic results will adapt to the chosen currency.
  • Power Units (Cooling): Choose between Kilowatts (kW), the international standard, and Tons of Refrigeration (TR), common in the United States. (1 TR ≈ 3.52 kW).
  • Power Units (Heat): Choose between Kilowatts (kW) and BTU/h (British Thermal Unit per hour), also used in the US. (1 kW ≈ 3412 BTU/h).
  • Temperature Units: Select between Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F).

3. Left Panel: Project Configuration

3.1. Current System: Heating

Here, you define the parameters of your existing heating system.

  • Boiler Power: Enter the nominal thermal power of the boiler.
  • Fuel Type: Select the fuel your current boiler uses. This data is vital for calculating costs and CO₂ emissions.
  • Boiler Efficiency (%): Indicate the boiler's performance. A typical value for older boilers is 60-80%.
  • Flow Rate and Temperatures: Parameters of the hydraulic circuit (flow rate, inlet, and outlet temperature).
  • Usage Hours: Break down the annual usage into hours/day, days/week, and weeks/year for an accurate consumption estimate.

3.2. Current System: Cooling

Configure the data for your current cooling system, if it exists.

  • Is there a cooling system?: Activate this switch if you have a chiller or cooling unit. If not, leave it deactivated.
  • Chiller Power: If activated, enter the power of your cooling unit.
  • Current Chiller COP: Indicate the efficiency (Coefficient of Performance) of your chiller. A typical value is 2.5-4.
  • Usage Hours: Detail the annual usage pattern of the cooling system.

3.3. Proposed System: DCT-ONE Heat Pump

Define the specifications for a single DCT-ONE unit. The simulator will automatically calculate how many units are needed.

  • Per-Unit Specifications (Power/Flow): Enter the heating/cooling power and flow rate capacity for one DCT-ONE unit. These values come from the product's technical datasheet.
  • Unit Calculation: Below this section, you will see a real-time calculation of the 'Units needed'. The simulator determines this number by comparing the project's total demand (power and flow) against the capacity of a single unit. It takes the highest value to ensure all requirements are met.
  • System Type (Hybrid vs. Full Replacement): The simulator automatically assumes a hybrid system if the total power of the calculated units is less than the existing system's demand. If the total power is equal or greater, it simulates a full replacement.
  • COP (Heating/Cooling): Efficiency values (Coefficient of Performance) for the DCT-ONE unit.
  • "Free" Cooling: Activate this option if the system design allows the cooling provided by the Dalrada unit to have no electrical cost (e.g., by taking advantage of low outdoor temperatures).

3.4. Economic & Investment Analysis

Financial parameters to calculate project investment and profitability.

  • Investment (CAPEX): Instead of a single total, the investment is broken down for accuracy:
    • <strong>Cost per DCT-ONE Unit:</strong> The price of a single heat pump.
    • <strong>% Additional Costs:</strong> The percentage of the total pump cost that covers all other expenses (installation, accessories, engineering, etc.). A common estimate is 60%.
  • Live CAPEX Breakdown: A box will appear in the UI showing the total pump cost, the calculated additional costs, and the Estimated Total Investment, which is used for all financial metrics.
  • Operating Costs (Fuel, Electricity): Prices per kWh for each energy source.
  • Existing System Costs: Annual maintenance and repair costs for the current boiler. These are only considered a saving if the Dalrada system fully replaces the boiler.
  • Subsidy, Discount Rate, and Inflation: Key financial inputs for calculating Net Present Value (NPV) and projecting future costs.
  • Sustainability (CO₂): Defines the carbon intensity of the local electrical grid to calculate emissions. A lower value means a cleaner grid.

4. Right Panel: Results Analysis

This panel displays the simulation results in real-time, organized into three tabs:

4.1. Executive Summary

A quick view of the most important indicators.

  • Financial KPIs: Year 1 savings, Payback (time to recover the investment), NPV (Net Present Value, indicates the total updated benefit), IRR (Internal Rate of Return, annual project profitability), and Net Investment (Investment - Subsidy).
  • Annual Costs Chart: Compares the operating cost of the current system vs. the proposed system for the first year.

4.2. Financial Analysis

Long-term profitability projection.

  • Accumulated Cash Flow Chart: Shows how savings accumulate over 15 years. The line changes from red (losses) to green (gains). The point where it crosses zero is the Payback point.

4.3. Environmental Impact

Visualize the ecological benefits of your investment.

  • CO₂ Reduction Chart: Compares the annual emissions of both systems.
  • Equivalency Cards: Translates the CO₂ savings into understandable metrics: 'equivalent trees planted' (based on total savings over 15 years) and 'cars removed from the road' (based on annual savings).