Using Systems Engineering Practices for Distributed Control and Building Performance Simulation

A distributed simulation between control systems and building performance applications is becoming more and more an invaluable tool in the analysis of Automated Buildings (ABs) for better operation and design. Instead of costly and time‐consuming experiments, using distributed simulations can simultaneously fulfill the occupants’ needs while reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Distributed simulations are used to investigate the impact of advanced control systems on building performance applications. This paper describes the development and implementation of a framework for distributed simulations involving different software tools over a network. The main role of this framework is to run‐time couple one or more building performance simulation tool(s) with a control systems environment over a network, within a Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) architecture. Finally, the paper ends with some conclusions and perspectives for future work.