Sensor-based occupancy behavioral pattern recognition for energy and comfort management in intelligent buildings

There has been extensive research focusing on developing smart environments by integrating data mining techniques into environments that are equipped with sensors and actuators. The ultimate goal is to reduce the energy consumption in buildings while maintaining a maximum comfort level for occupants. However, there are few studies successfully demonstrating energy savings from occupancy behavioural patterns that have been learned in a smart environment because of a lack of a formal connection to building energy management systems. In this study, the objective is to develop and implement algorithms for sensor-based modelling and prediction of user behaviour in intelligent buildings and connect the behavioural patterns to building energy and comfort management systems through simulation tools. The results are tested on data from a room equipped with a distributed set of sensors, and building simulations through EnergyPlus suggest potential energy savings of 30% while maintaining an indoor comfort level when compared with other basic energy savings HVAC control strategies.