Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The module is designed to provide professionals, primarily building service engineers, with a deep and practical understanding of modern control techniques, especially Model Predictive Control (MPC), as applied to real-world building systems. It includes both foundational theory and applied practice.

The course content includes:

• An introduction to control theory, including classical and modern approaches
• Optimal control techniques such as LQR and LQG
• Theoretical and practical aspects of Model Predictive Control (MPC)
• Grey box modeling of buildings using real data
• Hands-on implementation of classical and advanced control strategies

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who complete the module must be able to:

• Explain the principles of classical and modern control systems.
• Describe the role of Model Predictive Control (MPC) in enabling energy flexibility of buildings and supporting smart grid integration.

Skills

Students who complete the module must be able to:

• Formulate and apply Linear Quadratic Regulation (LQR) and Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control strategies for building applications.
• Design and implement a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy for building applications.
• Develop and validate grey box models based on experimental data from buildings.
• Apply Kalman filtering for state estimation in building applications.

Competences

Students who complete the module must be able to:

• Evaluate and compare the performance of PI, LQG, and MPC control strategies in terms of comfort and energy cost.
• Demonstrate autonomy in using the Speedgoat real-time controller to implement and test advanced control strategies for building applications in a physical experimental setup.

Type of instruction

The course combines online lectures (for time-flexible learning) with in-person participation in hands-on lab and simulation activities.

The teaching methods include:

• Lectures for theory (optional for experienced participants in control engineering)
• In-person participation in simulations and laboratory-based exercises using a real experimental setup
• Live discussions and Q&A

Extent and expected workload

The workload of a 5 ECTS project module is expected to be 150 hours for the student.

Exam

Exams

Additional information

This is a separate module at master’s level.