Replacing Setpoint Control with Machine Learning : Model Predictive Control Using Artificial Neural Networks

Sammanfattning: Indoor climate control is responsible for a substantial amount of the world's total energy expenditure. In a time of climate crisis where a reduction of energy consumption is crucial to avoid climate disaster, indoor climate control is a ripe target for eliminating energy waste. The conventional method of adjusting the indoor climate with the use of setpoint curves, based solely on outdoor temperature, may lead to notable inefficiencies. This project evaluates the possibility to replace this method of regulation with a system based on model predictive control (MPC) in one of Uppsala University Hospitals office buildings. A prototype of an MPC controller using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) as its system model was developed. The system takes several data sources into account, including indoor and outdoor temperatures, radiator flowline and return temperatures, current solar radiation as well as forecast for both solar radiation and outdoor temperature. The system was not set in production but the controller's predicted values correspond well to the buildings current thermal behaviour and weather data. These theoretical results attest to the viability of using the method to regulate the indoor climate in buildings in place of setpoint curves.