各个行业已经开发并实施了复杂的控制技术，以控制大型多变量系统，旨在实现特定的性能约束，同时寻求最小化各种成本函数。直到最近，人们一直对开发和实施此类技术感兴趣，以控制建筑暖通空调系统，从而在保持舒适条件的同时最大限度地减少建筑能耗。对各个HVAC子系统和部件进行控制，以确保其正常运行。各种组件和子系统的控制之间的相互作用，以最大限度地减少能源的使用，一直是最小的或非最小的- 存在。这项研究工作的目标是确定，对于具有代表性的建筑和暖通空调系统，将能源使用或能源成本降至最低的控制策略。该研究考察了在当前和未来（如适用）基于对所有系统参数、特征、负荷和要求的了解来控制建筑环境系统中的可控参数时，可以实现的能源使用和成本降低。这项研究包括一栋建筑的复合建模，以及一个特定的暖通空调系统。 该模型反映了舒适度、建筑结构和各种建筑HVAC子系统、组件、控制系统之间的相互关系，以及建筑的能源需求。这项研究工作的范围包括对特定建筑的模拟，以确定各种控制策略对建筑能源使用的影响。这包括开发一个综合模拟方案，以模拟优化建筑能源使用的控制系统的动作。

Various industries have developed and implemented sophisticated control techniques, to control large multivariable systems, aimed at achieving specific performance constraints while seeking to minimize various cost functions. Until recently, there has been \/ery l i t t l e interest in developing and implementing such techniques to control building HVAC systems aimed at maintaining comfort conditions whicl minimizing the energy usage by the buildings. Individual HVAC subsystems and components were controlled for satisfactory operation. Interaction between the controls of various components and subsystems to minimize energy usage has been minimal or non-existent.The objective of this research effort was to determine, for a representative building and HVAC system, the control strategies that would minimize energy usage or energy costs. The research examines the reduction in energy usage and costs that can be achieved when the controllable parameters in a building environmental system are controlled based on the knowledge of all system parameters, characteristics, loads and requirements, both at the present and, as applicable, into the future. The research included the composite modelling of a building, with a particular HVAC system. The model reflects the interrelation between comfort, the building structure and the various building HVAC sub-systems, components, control systems, and the energy requirements of the building. The scope of this research effort consisted of the simulation of a specific building to determine the effect of various control strategies on the building's energy usage. This included the development of a comprehensive simulation scheme to simulate the action of a control system that optimizes the building's energy usage.