Model Predictive Control-Based Hierarchical Control of a Multi-Zone Commercial HVAC System

Abstract This paper presents a novel architecture for model predictive control (MPC)-based indoor climate of multi-zone buildings to provide energy efficiency. Unlike prior works, we do not assume the availability high-resolution building model, which is challenging obtain. Instead, uses low-resolution that divided into small number “meta-zones” can be easily identified using existing data-driven modeling techniques. The proposed hierarchical. At higher level, an MPC controller make decisions air handling unit (AHU) and meta-zones. Since meta-zones are fictitious, lower level converts high-level commands individual zones by solving projection problem strikes trade-off between two potentially conflicting goals: AHU-level made respected while maintained within comfort bounds. performance assessed via simulations in high-fidelity simulation testbed compared rule-based used practice. Simulations multiple weather conditions show effectiveness terms savings, control, computational tractability.