A simplified building thermal model for the optimization of energy consumption: Use of a random number generator

• Use of a simplified model for the building thermal behavior.
• Optimization of energy consumption in buildings.
• Generating several heating scenarios will help to choose the optimal heating plan over a prediction horizon.
• Energy price and scenario generator help doing energy shedding.
• Thermal comfort in the occupation period in uncompromised.

This paper proposes a new method for an optimal control of the heating system at the building scale. This control is a new approach of energy planning that aims to decrease the heating consumption/expenses over a defined prediction horizon while respecting the occupants’ thermal comfort. It employs a simplified building thermal model to simulate the building thermal behavior taking into consideration the weather predictions. This approach is based on the application of Monte Carlo method, i.e., a random generator for the heating system scenarios. The aim is to determine the optimal heating plan for the prediction horizon that fulfills the constraints regarding the thermal comfort of occupants and the minimization of the energy consumption/expenses together with achieving a load shedding.