Optimal supervisory HVAC control: Experiences in Australia

A number of HVAC system vendors and operators have started to implement demand management systems in commercial buildings, yet this study contends that the impact of such systems on building performance and occupant comfort is poorly understood. This article examines such issues, showing the results from demand response experiments in two large office buildings. For optimal performance, it is believed that the HVAC management system should be dynamic and intelligent, responding to changing events and considering a variety of external factors, such as occupancy, human comfort, electricity price, and weather forecast. An example of such a system is detailed.