Conference Paper

Proceedings of Building Simulation 2021: 17th Conference of IBPSA

Co-simulation approach to evaluate MPC strategies for all-air systems: case study

Bart Merema, Dirk Saelens, Hilde Breesch
KU Leuven, Belgium

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26868/25222708.2021.30219
Abstract: To use energy in buildings more efficiently, control of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is a key parameter. Recently, model predictive control (MPC) is gaining more attention. To evaluate the potential of a MPC strategy, the control is first tested in a simulation environment. This requires a co-simulation approach to couple the MPC framework with the emulator model. In this paper a co-simulation framework is developed and results are verified with measurements. The cosimulation approach was then used to simulate two MPC strategies and compare them directly to a rule based control (RBC). Results indicate that comfort could be guaranteed using the predictive control while reducing the energy use for the fans and heating coil.
Keywords: ventilation, MPC, building energy
Pages: 86 - 93
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