Combining performance and implementability of model-based controllers for indoor climate control in office environments

Publication date: December 2014
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 82
Author(s): Mattias Gruber , Anders Trüschel , Jan-Olof Dalenbäck
Measures for an improved indoor climate control can potentially increase the energy efficiency in commercial buildings while comfort is maintained. Substantial energy reductions are possible by revising conventional building automation systems for an enhanced adaptation to process characteristics and current conditions. However, maintaining a low complexity to facilitate installation and commission of new technologies is also necessary to promote a widespread utilization. This work suggests a compromise between these two aspects by providing an experimental evaluation of a simplified model-based controller for indoor climate control in office environments. A working day was resembled in a test facility, and the task of the controller was to automate the heating, cooling and ventilation system in order to maintain a desirable indoor climate. The investigation considered two office environments, representing a meeting and an office room, as well as two weather seasons. From the investigation, it was concluded that the suggested model-based controller had the possibility of reducing energy usage and improve the indoor climate compared to a conventional feed-back controller as benchmark. But, these benefits were highly dependent on the investigated scenarios, which is important to consider in practice.