Strategies for the control of cooling plants are often based on intuition and experience. The simulation studies developed within the context of research projects 409-RP and 539-RP showed that energy reductions of up to 20% were possible using optimal compared to conventional control strategies. This project will document experiences related to implementation and operation within real buildings. Implementation further establishes the benefits of optimal control. This project addresses issues that are not present during simulations such as sensor uncertainties and errors, equipment dynamics, constraints on operation, and interactions between the controller and the system. Experimentation combined with simulation will lead to those approaches that are the most feasible.

Principal Investigator: Michael J. Brandemuehl, University of Colorado

Conducted: September 1994 - August 1997

Sponsored by: TC 4.6, Building Operation Dynamics