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What input is needed?

Control systems

One of the most important strengths of IDA ICE is that control algorithms can be implemented as real. The general principle is that one or several variables, that can be measured in the system,  generate control signals that will cause a control action at other parts of the system. One typical example is, that a measured signal is compared with a constant or time-varying setpoint, and the deviation (setpoint - measured value) applies feedback to bring the measured variable to the same value as the setpoint.

In IDA ICE, the following variables, among others, can be controlled:

• Operation of local heating and cooling units (room units)
• Ventilation air volume flows in zones
• Window shading and slat angle
• Opening of windows and doors
• Artificial light

In the advanced level of IDA ICE nearly all parameters can be controlled individually. Most common are components in the air handling unit, plant and electrical system (e.g. pumps, valves, fans, heating and cooling units, battery chargers etc.)

Predefined controls

Without any control, a building will always end up in a random state and comfort can never really be guaranteed. To simplify the modelling process, some predefined controls are activated by default. Depending on the level of detail they can be changed or replaces by custom controls.

The following controls are predefined:

Room units (heating and cooling)

• Proportional
• PI

Ventilation (Air flow)

• CAV (“Constant Air Volume flow” = no control and therefore not connected with the controller setpoints)
• VAV (“Variable Air Volume flow” to keep either humidity, CO₂ level, temperature, both temperature and CO₂ level or air pressure in a room at a given range, or follow a given time schedule)
   

Window shading and slat angle

• Sun (activates a shading when a specified level of solar radiation is exceeded)
• Schedule (follows strictly a given time schedule)
• Sun and Schedule

Openings

• Schedule (follows strictly a given time schedule)
• PI temperature control (opens a window when a specified room air temperature is exceeded)
• PI temperature control AND Schedule

Lighting

• Schedule
• Setpoints AND Schedule
  does the artificial lighting dim in line with the availability of daylight, ranging from a minimum to a maximum in combination with a schedule

Custom controls

By default, predefined controls are implemented. But on all levels, the predefined controls can be replaced by custom controls (in the IDA ICE Expert edition only). In the helptext below you find a list of custom controls and how to work with them .

Supervisory control

With a supervisory control, it is possible to create synchronized control signals for multiple units over the whole building. It can collect signals from the environment (utility signals etc.) and from building sensors and computes supervisory control signals that are relevant to the whole building.

Zone central control

By default, the different objects in a zone (heating, cooling, ventilation, shading, opening, etc.) are controlled by setpoints. But it is also possible to control by user defined zone controls. Controls on the zone level can connect the control of different objects.

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