The potential risk of developing surface condensation, which can damage the building construction layers and can cause health problems for the occupants, keeps thermo-active building systems (TABS) from being applied in buildings located in partly warm and humid climate regions. This study presents a novel model predictive control (MPC)-based surface condensation prevention framework that can avoid the condensation during the cooling periods when the TABS is in operation.

 

Two dynamic models were developed for prediction of future states: dynamic models of construction layers and dynamic model of buildings. When these two models are coupled, the surface condensation development can be predicted in relation to the surface temperature of the TABS and change of the indoor condition. This coupled model was calibrated with the measured data to improve the surface condensation prediction accuracy. On the basis of future states as well as current states inside buildings, the MPC-based condensation prevention framework adjusts the surface temperature for the TABS in ways that ensure indoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency without the development of surface condensation.

 

The results demonstrated that the MPC-based TABS operation achieved 21.0 − 29.6% site cooling distribution energy savings compared to the conventional forced air-based cooling mode depending on the climatic regions; in the comparison between the TABS governed by the MPC framework and by the on/off control, 2.5 − 10.0% more site cooling distribution energy savings were achieved through the use of the MPC framework than through the use of the on/off control.