Development of Virtual Human Agents with Different Thermal Preferences for Energy and Thermal Comfort Simulation

Abstract

Researchers have used building energy simulation tools such as EnergyPlus to evaluate building energy and occupant thermal preference. EnergyPlus is a powerful tool for modeling buildings, However, when controlling the indoor set temperature using EnergyPlus, it is common to assume that all occupants’ thermal preference is same. Therefore, it is difficult to know dynamic personal thermal preferences and to implement occupant centric set-point control. In this study, we propose the various human agents with different thermal preference to realize the reliability of the simulation. First, we make an agent generation algorithm by referring the characteristics of various existing individual thermal preference models. And then, create agents with a virtual thermal preference to suit our needs. Through that, it is expected to allow human agents to feel different preference in one space during simulation. The final significance of the study is to contribute to the evaluation of building energy and thermal comfort closer to reality through the agent created in this method.