Framework for Fast Prototyping of Energy-Saving Controllers

Abstract

Due to the high costs of real-time experiments, performance simulation has become a widely accepted method of assessment for the quality of proposed solutions in the field of energy saving. Additionally, being able to simulate the behavior of the future occupants of a residential building, as well as weather forecasts, can be very useful since it can support both design-time and run-time decisions leading to reduced energy consumption through, e.g., the design of model predictive controllers that incorporate user behavior and weather predictions. In this work, we provide a framework for fast prototyping of energy saving controllers in residential buildings. In fact, we are interested in how to deal with many aspects of the process so that these controllers can implement alternative strategies for energy saving.