Bilinear Model Predictive Control of a HVAC System Using Sequential Quadratic Programming

Abstract We study the problem of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in a typical commercial building. We propose a model predictive control (MPC) approach which minimizes energy use while satisfying occupant comfort constraints. A sequential quadratic programming algorithm is used to efficiently solve the resulting bilinear optimization problem. This paper presents the control design approach and the procedure for computing its solution. Extensive numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. In particular, the MPC is able to systematically reproduce a variety of well-known commercial solutions for energy savings, which include demand response, “economizer mode” and precooling/preheating.