Modeling and simulation of an HVAC system for energy analysis and management of commercial buildings

Commercial buildings consume a considerable amount of the world's energy and this can be substantially reduced through strategic monitoring and optimization of their energy consumption. Hence, monitoring and managing the available electrical power is a very important part of conserving energy resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting down energy expenses. An attempt has been made to model and simulate the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) system for a typical commercial building, which consumes the most electrical power in such buildings. The various components of an HVAC system were mathematically modeled and were integrated to simulate real-time energy and process parameters. A software application was developed using LabVIEW, which enables the user to configure the system parameters through a Human Machine Interface (HMI). The HMI would enable building design engineers to design and set-up an effective Energy Management System, and test such designs with negligible cost and minimal complexity compared to that involved in using physical loads.