Real data-driven occupant-behavior optimization for reduced energy consumption and improved comfort

Kadir Amasyali and Nora M. El-Gohary

Applied Energy, 2021, vol. 302, issue C, No S0306261921006930

Abstract: A significant amount of energy can be saved through improving occupant behavior. However, implementing energy-saving behavioral changes requires careful consideration based on real-life data to avoid sacrificing comfort. Towards addressing this need, this paper proposes a real data-driven method to assess the potential of occupant-behavior improvements in simultaneously reducing energy consumption and enhancing comfort. The proposed method consists of two main components: (1) machine learning-based occupant-behavior-sensitive models for real data-driven prediction of cooling and lighting energy consumption and thermal and visual occupant comfort; and (2) a genetic algorithm-based optimization model, which uses the machine-learning models to compute the energy consumption and occupant comfort and accordingly optimizes occupant behavior for reduced energy consumption and improved comfort. The proposed method was tested on real data collected from an office building. The experimental results showed potential behavioral energy savings in the range of 11–22%, with a significant improvement in occupant comfort.

Keywords: Building energy consumption prediction; Occupant behavior; Machine learning; Occupant comfort; Multi-objective optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117276

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