Optimal set-point regulation in HVAC system for controllability and energy efficiency

ABSTRACT The energy management of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is a primary concern in building projects. Although they allow us to identify opportunities for effective energy use, their⁠ cost can sometimes exceed the energy saved. On the contrary, controller tuning by e.g. set-point regulation, often provides solutions that incur relatively low or no extra cost. In this paper, a simulation-based optimization approach is proposed for the optimal set-point regulation of HVAC system. For this purpose, we developed dynamic models for the target HVAC system that can simulate system behaviour at intervals of one minute. The set-point values were optimized while assessing controllability. The optimization of set-points that considered only energy efficiency led to various faults and therefore, was not applicable. However, optimal set-points obtained by considering controllability can help avoid significant faults.