Abstract
As advanced control sequences are developed to improve the operational efficiency of buildings, it is important to better understand the implications of uncertainty on system design and specification, and its propagation through system components to various performance measures. This paper describes the detailed development of a testbed for performing uncertainty quantification in heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system operational parameters, which includes local loop controller dynamics and detailed control sequences at small time scales. The testbed was developed using a Modelica-based building model that allows controllers to be accurately simulated along with the building heat transfer physics. The model is demonstrated by applying it to uncertainty quantification in annual site electricity use and internal zone conditions, due to the inherent inaccuracies in system sensors and actuators. The results and the testbed are intended to aid others in the research community who may need a similar HVAC controls simulation testbed.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 2 • June 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 29, 2021
Accepted: Dec 17, 2021
Published online: Feb 23, 2022
Published in print: Jun 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Jul 23, 2022
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building design
- Building systems
- Buildings
- Continuum mechanics
- Control systems
- Design (by type)
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- HVAC
- Model accuracy
- Models (by type)
- Motion (dynamics)
- Simulation models
- Solid mechanics
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Systems engineering
- Systems management
- Uncertainty principles
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