A Framework Based on ALMABuild Toolbox for the Advanced Control of HVAC systems

Model Predictive Control (MPC) has the potential to control HVAC systems more efficiently than traditional controllers, as proven by numerous studies. Various simulation tools/platforms are available to test advanced controllers prior to their deployment in the field, but not all platforms are user-friendly and fully controllable. Hence, we propose the ALMABuild MATLAB/Simulink toolbox to simulate emulator models for buildings. To our knowledge, the toolbox has never been used for this purpose earlier. One interesting feature is that accurate building envelopes and the HV AC systems can be easily implemented through user-friendly GUIs. Moreover, given that the toolbox uses the same platform as the popular MATLAB control system toolbox, there is no need to have a software interface when investigating on controls. A single zone building was simulated and the indoor air temperature was controlled using a PI controller applied to an air handling unit supplying air to a variable air volume box equipped with a reheat coil. The presented results pave the way forward for the simulation of single/multi-zones buildings, suitable HV AC systems and advanced controllers, all in the MATLAB/Simulink environment.