Nov 14 2012
Researchers at the UPM have developed an intelligent HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioner) control system to enhance comfort of the users as well as energy efficiency in Buildings.
As a result of their work on home automation and energy efficiency area, researchers at the Research Centre for Smart Buildings and Energy Efficiency (CeDInt) of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid have developed the ClimApp tool, a novel system to control the HVAC office buildings which can adapt dynamically to the user and the building environment by using techniques of artificial intelligence.
The main difference between ClimApp1 and other control systems which are currently on the market is that ClimApp provides users with personalized interfaces, a web application and an application for smartphones (Android) that allow them to remotely control devices as well as to set up their schedules and temperature preferences.
Thanks to this information, the developed system can automatically configure the running of the devices (setpoint, on/off, work mode) to adapt them to the need of the users at any moment who can be in different zones, and to adapt the devices to external environmental factors.
The main innovation of the automatic control is based on the algorithm developed that, by using techniques of artificial intelligence, can calculate the optimal temperature to satisfy the thermal control of all users. To do this, they took into account aspects such as the activity of users, the type of clothing, and radiation from outside, etc.
Besides, ClimApp has incorporated a novelty; the device has developed an indoor location system for the application of smartphones that can dynamically learn with no need of preconfiguring WiFi signal which are received in each zone. Therefore, the system can identify where the users are in real time and at any time.
To summarize, the control system developed can achieve an important improvement in the user comfort as well as to minimize the energetic consumption of the devices thanks to they can fit their running to real needs at any time.
1 Gómez-Otero C, Martínez R, Caffarel J. ClimApp: A novel approach of an intelligent HVAC control system. SISTEMAS Y TECNOLOGIAS DE INFORMACION, Vol. 1 y 2 (899-904). 2012.