Decentralized preview control for multiple disturbance rejection in HVAC systems

Abstract A decentralized preview controller is designed for temperature control of multizone indoor environmental spaces. A two-zone space heating system is considered. The physical system consists of a boiler, heat pumps, distribution network and two environmental zones. By assuming that the outdoor temperature variations are “previewable”, a decentralized preview controller is designed by using a parameter optimization method. The output responses of the resulting decentralized closed-loop bilinear system acted upon by single and multiple disturbances with and without preview action are compared. Also, results showing the robustness property of the controller, and the 24-hour building operation with unoccupied and occupied setpoint tracking using preview control are given.