Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to control operation of an HVAC system providing climate control for a zone of a structure. In various embodiments, a constrained optimization problem is performed to set control commands for controlling operation of the HVAC system to achieve one or more objectives while providing a supply air flow at an air temperature and a humidity ratio for the zone at a future time. For instance, the optimization problem may include a cost function having constraints based on a desired temperature setpoint and a humidity ratio for the zone. A value is set for each control command based on the performance of the constrained optimization problem to achieve at least one of the objectives and as a result, the supply air flow at the air temperature and humidity ratio is provided by the HVAC system at the future time to the zone based on the values.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to managing and controlling an energy system comprising at least one primary energy load, at least one secondary energy load, and an energy storage subsystem configured to receive energy from an energy source and provide energy to the energy loads. In embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a first system state data object associated with a first timepoint, generating a second system state data object associated with a second timepoint, determining control commands for each of the at least one primary energy load, the at least one secondary energy load, and the energy storage subsystem based at least in part on evaluating the second system state data object in a constrained optimization model, and causing energy to be supplied at the second timepoint to the energy loads and/or the energy storage subsystem based at least in part on the control commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to control operation of an HVAC system providing climate control for a zone of a structure. In various embodiments, a constrained optimization problem is performed to set control commands for controlling operation of the HVAC system to achieve one or more objectives while providing a supply air flow at an air temperature and a humidity ratio for the zone at a future time. For instance, the optimization problem may include a cost function having constraints based on a desired temperature setpoint and a humidity ratio for the zone. A value is set for each control command based on the performance of the constrained optimization problem to achieve at least one of the objectives and as a result, the supply air flow at the air temperature and humidity ratio is provided by the HVAC system at the future time to the zone based on the values.

Abstract: Techniques for providing ancillary services to a power grid using customer premises such as commercial buildings. The techniques may involve receiving a regulation signal from a grid operator that is specific to a commercial building and modifying power consumption by at least one power consumption component in the building based on the regulation signal. The power consumption component may be a fan and/or a chiller of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The regulation signal may be tracked in a at least a portion of a frequency band from about 4 seconds to about 60 minutes, and the control architecture may depend on the portion of the frequency band.

Abstract: Techniques for providing ancillary services to a power grid using customer premises such as commercial buildings. The techniques may involve receiving a regulation signal from a grid operator that is specific to a commercial building and modifying power consumption by at least one power consumption component in the building based on the regulation signal. The power consumption component may be a fan of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Conducted experiments demonstrate that up to 15% of fan power capacity may be deployed for regulation purposes while maintaining indoor temperature deviation to no more than 0.2° C. The regulation signal may be tracked in a frequency band from about 4 seconds to 10 minutes.

Abstract: A system for controlling at least one heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit to increase efficiency while maintaining comfort. The system comprises at least one computer. The at least one computer is configured to receive an indication of measured occupant load. The at least one computer is further configured to send a control signal to the at least one heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit. The at least one computer may receive the indication of the measured occupant load by receiving from at least one sensor node at least a zone occupant quantity and a zone temperature. The at least one computer may send the control signal to the at least one heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit by sending a signal that controls at least one variable air volume box to set a supply air flow rate and a supply air temperature based on the measured occupant load.

Abstract: A system for controlling at least one heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit to increase efficiency while maintaining comfort. The system comprises at least one computer. The at least one computer is configured to receive an indication of measured occupant load. The at least one computer is further configured to send a control signal to the at least one heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit. The at least one computer may receive the indication of the measured occupant load by receiving from at least one sensor node at least a zone occupant quantity and a zone temperature. The at least one computer may send the control signal to the at least one heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit by sending a signal that controls at least one variable air volume box to set a supply air flow rate and a supply air temperature based on the measured occupant load.

Abstract: Techniques for providing ancillary services to a power grid using customer premises such as commercial buildings. The techniques may involve receiving a regulation signal from a grid operator that is specific to a commercial building and modifying power consumption by at least one power consumption component in the building based on the regulation signal. The power consumption component may be a fan and/or a chiller of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The regulation signal may be tracked in a at least a portion of a frequency band from about 4 seconds to about 60 minutes, and the control architecture may depend on the portion of the frequency band.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for estimating pose includes generating hypotheses for a pose component under consideration, identifying a mode of a probability mass function associated with the hypotheses, extracting low-noise hypotheses, and averaging the low-noise hypotheses to obtain a pose component estimate.

Abstract: Techniques for providing ancillary services to a power grid using customer premises such as commercial buildings. The techniques may involve receiving a regulation signal from a grid operator that is specific to a commercial building and modifying power consumption by at least one power consumption component in the building based on the regulation signal. The power consumption component may be a fan of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Conducted experiments demonstrate that up to 15% of fan power capacity may be deployed for regulation purposes while maintaining indoor temperature deviation to no more than 0.2° C. The regulation signal may be tracked in a frequency band from about 4 seconds to 10 minutes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for estimating pose includes generating hypotheses for a pose component under consideration, identifying a mode of a probability mass function associated with the hypotheses, extracting low-noise hypotheses, and averaging the low-noise hypotheses to obtain a pose component estimate.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprises supplying maximum control voltage to an SMA actuator where an object having a position to be controlled by the SMA actuator were to move toward a target position upon supply of non-zero control voltage, and the instantaneous actual position of the object is at a distance above a predetermined threshold from the target position. A variably controlled voltage is supplied to the SMA actuator between the maximum voltage and about zero voltage where the object to be controlled were to move toward the target position upon supply of the variably controlled voltage, and the instantaneous actual position of the object is at a distance below the predetermined threshold from the target position.