A Model-Based Predictive Control Approach for a Building Cooling System With Ice Storage

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm designed for the cooling system of a small commercial building under a time-dependent electricity price profile. The proposed approach includes a problem formulation in terms of cooling power, a variable-length prediction horizon and the consideration of the equipment duty cycle as a constraint in the optimization algorithm. The cooling system is equipped with an ice bank for thermal energy storage. A simple linear building thermal model is used to calculate the required amount of cooling power to maintain thermal comfort. The MPC algorithm uses this information to find the optimal operating points for the chiller and the ice bank to minimize the electric energy cost. The results of the MPC algorithm are compared against those of the reactive rule-based control algorithm currently in use in the building.Copyright © 2013 by Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada

[1]  David E. Culler,et al.  Reducing Transient and Steady State Electricity Consumption in HVAC Using Learning-Based Model-Predictive Control , 2012, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[2]  Simeng Liu,et al.  Experimental Analysis of Model-Based Predictive Optimal Control for Active and Passive Building Thermal Storage Inventory , 2005 .

[3]  José A. Candanedo,et al.  Model-based predictive control of an ice storage device in a building cooling system , 2013 .

[4]  Philip Haves,et al.  Model predictive control for the operation of building cooling systems , 2010, Proceedings of the 2010 American Control Conference.

[5]  S. Joe Qin,et al.  A survey of industrial model predictive control technology , 2003 .

[6]  Francesco Borrelli,et al.  Predictive Control for Energy Efficient Buildings with Thermal Storage: Modeling, Stimulation, and Experiments , 2012, IEEE Control Systems.

[7]  David Q. Mayne,et al.  Constrained model predictive control: Stability and optimality , 2000, Autom..

[8]  James E. Braun.  A Near-Optimal Control Strategy for Cool Storage Systems with Dynamic Electric Rates (RP-1252) , 2007 .

[9]  James E. Braun,et al.  Modeling partial charging and discharging of area-constrained ice storage tanks , 1999 .

[10]  Francesco Borrelli,et al.  Model Predictive Control of thermal energy storage in building cooling systems , 2009, Proceedings of the 48h IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC) held jointly with 2009 28th Chinese Control Conference.

[11]  Jerald D. Parker,et al.  Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning: Analysis and Design , 1977 .