Simulation of a Model-based Optimal Controller for Heating Systems under Realistic Hypotheses

An optimal controller for auxiliary heating of passive solar buildings and commercial buildings with high internal gains is tested in simulation. Some of the most restrictive simplifications that were used in previous studies of that controller (Kummert et al., 2001) are lifted: the controller is applied to a multizone building, and a detailed model is used for the HVAC system. The model-based control algorithm is not modified. It is based on a simplified internal model. It is shown that the optimal controller's performance varies strongly with the zone that is considered and the reference zone that is used. However, it is never worse than the performance of a reference controller. The global performance at the building level depends on the selected reference zone and on the building sensitivity to overheating.