A training workbench based on transient building models for creating intelligent energy operators

Abstract The development of intelligent control-oriented solutions for building energy systems is a promising research field. The development of effective systems relies on seldom available large data sets or on simulation environments, either for training or execution phases. The creation of simulation environments based on thermal models is a challenging task, requiring the usage of third-party solutions and high levels of expertise in the energy engineering field, which poses relevant restrictions to the development of control-oriented research. In this work, a training workbench is presented, integrating an accurate but lightweight lumped capacitance model with proven accuracy to represent the thermal dynamics of buildings, engineering models for energy systems in buildings, and user behavior models into an overall building energy performance forecasting model. It is developed in such a way that it can be easily integrated into control-oriented applications, with no requirements to use complex, third-party tools.