Experimental and simulated performance of optimal control of building thermal storage

Optimal dynamic building control strategies were compared with night setback control through experiments at a test facility representative of a room in a large office building. Two optimal dynamic control strategies were considered: minimum total energy costs and minimum peak electrical demand. Results showed that up to 51% of the total cooling load could be shifted to off-peak hours through optimal control. The reduction in the peak cooling load was found to as much as 40%. Occupant thermal comport was also measured during the experiments and maintained within acceptable limits for all control strategies tested. Measured cooling loads compare well with those predicted by the simulation and validate the simulation method.