Optimal Real-Time Energy Management in Apartment Building Integrating Microgrid With Multizone HVAC Control

Today, distribution systems are presently transforming from a demand-driven to an active asset-driven activity, portrayed by expanding measures of decentralized generation units and an increasing participation of end users in demand response programs. The role of residential buildings will change to an active player in the power grid, either by integrating distributed energy resources onsite and even by an active orchestration of local demand. This article presents an effective approach for the modeling and optimization of a multiunit residential or multiple dwelling units building, integrating a local shared renewable power generation, energy storage system, and electric vehicles. We aim to support the decision-making in the context of energy consumption for a multiunit building through developing a model predictive control able to effectively control the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in each apartment of the building in order to reduce the electric bill of the building and improve the matching performance between the local generation and consumption. The problem is solved for a multiunit apartments building in the Montreal area. The results show the efficiency of proposed method.