Simulation-based Optimization for the Solar Decathlon Contest: The PoliTo-SCUT Prototype House

Simulation-based Optimization for the Solar Decathlon Contest: The PoliTo-SCUT Prototype House This project is developed for a study about a NZEB prototype house designed for the competition Solar Decathlon China. The maximum score is 1000 points, divided into different sections. Since a part of the score is linked to some measured parameters, it is possible to make a study about the prototype, building an accurate energy model, testing the performance requested. Therefore, optimize through some optimization algorithm, using the simulation-based optimization, a growing technique about the simulation of the buildings. Usually the Life Cycle Cost is taken into account, as objective function, for this kind of simulation, instead, in this case the aim, is to maximize the obtained score, related to the parameters measured during the contest period. To achieve this result, some coupling between software is needed. TRNSYS (Transient System Simulation Tool) will be used to create the energy model of the building, for both the envelope and the energy system, with the help of CONTAM software. Therefore, the energy model should be optimized, varying some structural and management parameters. The traditional way of design relies on the experience of the designer, or on a single parameter check, to study the performance. This wastes a lot of time, sometimes spent on useless parameters, sometimes forgetting of other important variables, and could lead even to a wrong solution. That is why the simulation-based optimization, taking advantage from the machine learning algorithms, in the case of this project, the particle swarm optimization, reduces the computational cost needed to check every single combination, ensuring a considerable improvement of the solution, saving time. GenOpt software (Generic Optimization Program) suits well this need, in fact, it is widely used for this kind of applications. The peculiarity of the objective function, quite different from a traditional simple output of a simulation program, because of the complexity of the time period, and the different scheme of calculation, requires a special evaluation of the outputs, so MATLAB will be used for this purpose, thanks to his easy customization. Some of the results could be used as suggestion for the best operation and monitoring of the systems, during the contest period, while the others, could be implemented in the future realization of the house, or for other studies about this project. This tool is quite effective, it can be used for many applications, like other competition of the same level, new design, and to test the house behaviour in different conditions, requirements, or environments for the market appeal of the house.