An enhanced process model for the semi-automated deployment of Simulation-aided Building Controls

A Simulation-assisted Building Control (SaBC) system extends state-of-the-art building controls by modeling a building´s physical properties and using simulation to optimize its performance. In an SaBC, control strategies are first simulated, then the best alternative is selected and actuated by the building automation system. SaBCs enable highly efficient and grid-friendly buildings. Deploying these controls however is a complex process due to the uniqueness of each building along with an increasing complexity of building systems. Typically the deployment tasks are performed manually by highly specialized personnel, which results in a poorly documented and extremely scattered deployment process. This paper improves the workflow for the deployment of a Simulation-aided Building Control service suitable for supporting the operational phase of a building. Some tasks in the deployment process may benefit from machine support, especially data intensive, repetitive and error prone tasks. The proposed approach reduces the complexity of the setup procedure, decreases problems related to the uniqueness of the infrastructure and supports the documentation of the deployment process. As a consequence, the overall performance is improved, deployment costs are reduced with respect to both time and money, and the re-usability is increased.