In my opinion you can use Plant Simulation, but you have do implement an addon for better cost analisis. Here is a paper which follow this idea.
Article Discrete Event Simulation of Individual Energy Consumption f...
You might consider Simio, a powerful and respected package which includes cost-analysis capabilities. I use it in teaching a master's-level simulation course in the College of Business, University of Michigan - Dearborn. www.simio.com
I would also suggest Plant Simulation but I can't say it is the best tool. I also suggest AnyLogic. I think both of them are suitable for discrete-event simulation and cost analysis.
We have used Witness linked to Excel to give us our energy usage from which the cost can be derived. The excel is an add on that once we had developed found we could could further analysis quickly. This is part of a Phd by Joel Wilson from the University of Greenwich. If you require his contact details I can provide them
+1 for AnyLogic. It allows for integration of discrete event simulation, system dynamics and agent-based modelling. Many subsystems within your larger energy-consumption system can then be modelled more realistically: use discrete event where necessary, and combine it with a subsystem where a dynamic state-chart is a better description, for example.
Another discrete event simulation environment that you might consider is ARENA (https://www.arenasimulation.com/), a powerful software package which you can easily connect to others software (i.e. excel, access, ...) and includes programming capabilities with VBA. I use it in teaching a master's-level simulation course in the University of Rome Tor Vergata- Italy.
@Pasquale: is Arena actually still around? I thought it was replaced by Simio. From Simio's website: "...Many of the same team members who brought you Arena and a long line of industry breakthroughs have now focused their efforts on creating the next generation of simulation tools..."
I guess they just started something new. Interesting.
@ J.W. Joubert: Seems that arena is still alive.
The site http://www.act-operationsresearch.com/index.html sponsorize both Arena that Simio.
I think we can see in the foreseeable future, which one will prevail.
It will be a good challenge
I taught a simulation course (industrial engineering department, senior undergraduate level) some years ago using Arena, and have recently (last 2 years, 3 times) taught a similar course (business analytics department, master's level) using Simio. My personal opinion, strongly held and buttressed by student experience and comments, is that Simio is markedly more powerful, easier to use, and easier to learn incrementally.
If I am not mistaken, Simio is a simulation software developed in a society built by Dennis Pegden who is also known to be the creator of SIMAN which is used in Arena. Both softwares are quiet good but I don't know which simulation engine is used in Simio, must not be that different from SIMAN ...
Some tools are limited by its ability. The model specification will/should dictate to some extent if a tool is worthy of consideration. In the end, though, it is probably more important to ask what skill level are you putting in front of the tool. If, Jochen, you're sure that it should be a discrete event model, then any of the tools might work... the limiting factor will then just be your skill level in the different tool(s). PlantSim, FlexSim, AnyLogic, Simio, Arena, all are reputable tools - pick (any) one and deepend your working knowledge of it. They usually all have the capability to get in under the hood if you want to do something that is a bit more sophisticated than mere drag-and-drop. That usually implies some scripting/coding/libraries/etc. ... usually worth the effort.
Hi,
I think the ED Software(Falcon version) is the best suitable software for your Simulation. Also, You can use simulation methodology of technical committee of Michigan university for your work. The Attached file is mentioned methodology.
Sincerely Yours,
Gharaei.
I have been working with different discrete event simulation software. (Delmia Quest, Plant Simulation, Simio, Arena) My personal selectrion is Siemenes PLM Plant Simulation and Simio.
For mechatronics engineering courses I use plant simulation due to OPC connection with PLCs . We model a manufacturing cell that has Siemens PLC and Rockwell Automation PLC, we connect the model in plant simulation with them to obtain a model that work as a monitoring system. In the other hand, it helps students to improve their programming skills with simtalk. Nx, Process Simulate and Process Designer (part of Tecnomatix Portfolio) are used in robotic and industrial automation courses.
For industrial engineering courses (Facility Design) I use Plant Simulation due to it's integration with AutoCAD (FactoryCAD and FactoryFlow add-on) analysis compatibility. In the other hand, Simio is a very useful and powerful tool to teach: process design, process optimization and production planning due to its ease of modeling.
Plant Simulation will definitely do the job. It largely depends which software you have access to. It is equally comparable with Simio, Arena, Anylogic etc.
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