Climate model based test workbench for daylight-artificial light integration

Abstract

Energy efficiency strategies based on daylight-artificial light integration have grown exponentially in recent years. Taking into account the dynamics to be considered for control and the dependence on natural and occupancy factors, it is better to use a test workbench prior to setting up the final control scheme. This work describes a climate model based test workbench for the real time testing of the control of luminaires and window blinds in a daylight-artificial light integrated scheme. The established climate model based control scheme suitable for the optimum integration of visual comfort, thermal comfort, and energy consumption can be tested for any ecological conditions. The input irradiance from a BF5 sensor, the internal temperature from a Micro DAQ logger, the occupancy and photo sensors associated with the luminaire all provide input data for the test workbench. A fuzzy logic based motorized window blind controller and look-up table based dimming of LED luminaires are used to set the required illuminance with reduced load on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The anticipated synergetic effects of the test workbench have been validated using real time climate data. The test work bench is established on a Labview platform and developed as a standalone system using myRIO.