Method and apparatus for controlling an environment management system within a building

Abstract

A method of operating an environment management system within a building, comprises using each of at least a first and a second model to predict, for a chosen time period ahead, one or both of: i) control requirements for the environment management system in light of a current measured system state and a desired future system state or ii) a future system state that would be reached with a particular set of control inputs; wherein the first model comprises a parameterised physical model of the building and the second model comprises an implicit model of the building. The predictions of the models are evaluated based on prior success at predicting the building's thermal behaviour for conditions similar to conditions that are forecast for the chosen time period ahead. A band of uncertainty for the desired or predicted future system state is determined. Based on the determined uncertainty bands, a control strategy that minimises a likely level of deviation from the desired future system state is selected. The control strategy comprises control parameters for the environment management system. The environment management system is operated to control the environment in the building in accordance with the selected control strategy.

Description

Technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling an environmental management system in a building. Background technique [0002] Buildings are at least as diverse as humans. Although dwellings can be classified according to archetypes, there are at least hundreds of types. It is also clear that the many members of these prototype groups differ greatly from each other due to differences in construction details, post-modification and repair. Building systems, especially heating and ventilation systems, are also very different, and the interaction between these systems and the buildings in which they are located is complex. [0003] In addition, the energy behavior of the same building with different occupants can be very different. Enabling individuals to enter different occupants in different buildings can also lead to major behavior changes. Although it is clear that the behavior of the boiler is closely related to other components in ...

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Problems solved by technology

[0006] While each of the above systems can provide advantages over timed operation of heating systems using individual zone thermostats (e.g., thermostatic radiator valves, TRVs), they do not address some important needs related to building heating and thermodynamics

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