Optimal energy management of HVAC systems by using evolutionary algorithm

The available plant and energy simulation packages become robust and user-friendly, and this is the major reason that they are so popular even in the consultancy fields in these few years. In fact, these plant and energy simulation packages can be widely adopted in studying different alternatives of the operation of HVAC and building services systems. Since there are many parameters involved in different equipment and systems, one of the useful areas of studies is to optimize the essential parameters in order to provide a satisfactory solution for design or operation in terms of efficient and effective facilities management. Therefore in this paper, the simulation-optimization approach is proposed for effective energy management of HVAC systems. Due to the complexity of the HVAC systems, which commonly include the refrigeration, water and air side systems, it is necessary to suggest optimal conditions for different operation according to the dynamic cooling load requirements throughout a year. A simulation-EA coupling suite has been developed by using the metaheuristic skill, and the evolutionary algorithm can be effectively used to handle the discrete, non-linear and highly constrained characteristics of the typical HVAC and building services optimization problems. The effectiveness of this simulation-EA coupling suite has been demonstrated through the establishment of the monthly optimal reset scheme of the chilled water supply temperature of a local central chiller plant. Further development of this performance-based optimization suite would be useful in handling a variety of scenarios of the HVAC and building services systems. This would be essential to promote the facilities and energy management in terms of both sustainability and finance.