Study of Dynamic Thermal Response and Implementation of Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) Controllers in Buildings Using Spreadsheet Models

Abstract

Difficulties arise in the teaching of control concepts applicable to thermal systems in buildings because these systems are large and respond slowly. Also, traditional control system analysis does not easily accommodate the examination of real scenarios. In this paper, spreadsheet-based techniques are described that allow students to simulate thermal responses using real and hypothetical data. Controller tuning can be simulated and alternative designs can be simultaneously examined and compared. The spreadsheet models are routinely used by distance-learning students, but have proved useful also in teaching full-time students on campus.