A review of multi-agent systems concepts and research related to building HVAC control

Abstract

This article is a primer for how multi-agent system technology may influence building HVAC control technologies. The multi-agent system paradigm brings some inherent disruption to current HVAC control technologies, requiring increased embedded intelligence and more advanced communication protocols. Along with HVAC-specific multi-agent system research, two other fields that have active multi-agent system research are incorporated into the review. They are the smart grid and ambient intelligence domains, which merit inclusion because of their distinct overlap with HVAC issues. The review culminates in posing a few perspectives and directions of how multi-agent system could alter building HVAC control implementations.