Intelligence in buildings: the potential of advanced modelling.

A model-based technique is described to raise the level of sophistication of building automation systems (BAS). Models are derived using stochastic multivariable identification, and describe the behaviour of air temperature and relative humidity in a full-scale office zone equipped with a dedicated heating, ventilating and air conditioning plant. The models give good accuracy. Investigates the usefulness of the models for facilities management. The 'temperature' model demonstrated substantial improvement of temperature regulation and reduction of energy consumption. Concludes that deterministic simulation has potential to be used as a means of initialising a model structure and of selecting the sensors for a BAS.