Smart Building: Use of the Artificial Neural Network Approach for Indoor Temperature Forecasting

The smart building concept aims to use smart technology to reduce energy consumption, as well as to improve comfort conditions and users’ satisfaction. It is based on the use of smart sensors and software to follow both outdoor and indoor conditions for the control of comfort, and security devices for the optimization of energy consumption. This paper presents a data-based model for indoor temperature forecasting, which could be used for the optimization of energy device use. The model is based on an artificial neural network (ANN), which is validated on data recorded in an old building. The novelty of this work consists of the methodology proposed for the development of a simplified model for indoor temperature forecasting. This methodology is based on the selection of pertinent input parameters after a relevance analysis of a large set of input parameters, including solar radiation outdoor temperature history, outdoor humidity, indoor facade temperature, and humidity. It shows that an ANN-based model using outdoor and facade temperature sensors provides good forecasting of indoor temperatures. This model can be easily used in the optimal regulation of buildings’ energy devices.