Optimal Control of Fabric Thermal Storage Systems

Hollow core ventilated slab systems provide an effective means of utilizing the building structure as a thermal store to reduce energy cost while maintaining the thermal comfort of the occupants. The optimum control strategy for the system would be one that minimizes energy use without prejudicing the thermal comfort requirement. This paper describes the characteristics of the optimal control problem and its potential for reducing energy cost. The optimization study was undertaken by a numerical optimization method known as Genetic Algorithm (GA) applied to a dynamic building model and static plant model. The formulation of the control problem is discussed and the results illustrate the need for optimum control and that the GA is a viable method for investigating the characteristics of the control problem. A simplified control strategy is developed that features the optimal control characteristics.