Model predictive control with adaptive machine-learning-based model for building energy efficiency and comfort optimization

A model predictive control system with adaptive machine-learning-based building models for building automation and control applications is proposed. The system features an adaptive machine-learning-based building dynamics modelling scheme that updates the building model regularly using online building operation data through a dynamic artificial neural network with a nonlinear autoregressive exogenous structure. The system also employs a multi-objective function that could optimize both energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort, two often contradicting demands. The proposed model predictive control system is implemented to control the air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in two single-zone testbeds, an office and a lecture theatre, located in Singapore for experimental evaluation of its control performance. The model predictive control system is compared against the original reactive control system (thermostat in the office and building management system in the lecture theatre) in each testbed. The model predictive control system reduces 58.5% cooling thermal energy consumption in the office and 36.7% cooling electricity consumption in the lecture theatre, as compared to their respective original control. Meanwhile, the indoor thermal comfort in both testbeds is also greatly improved by the model predictive control system. Developing a model predictive control system using machine-learning-based building dynamics models could largely cut down the model construction time to days as compared to its counterpart using physics-based models, which usually take months to construct. However, the machine-learning-based modelling approach could be challenged by lack of building operational data necessary for model training in case of model predictive control development before the building has become operational.