A review of virtual sensing technology and application in building systems

Abstract

A virtual sensor uses low-cost measurements and mathematical models to estimate a difficult to measure or expensive quantity. Virtual sensors have been sucessfully developed and applied in other fields within the past two decades. This article reviews developments of virtual sensors in other fields and early applications for buildings. It is believed that widespread application of virtual sensors for buildings would enable a level of building optimization and improvement not previously considered to be economical. It is hoped that this article can provide a resource for these future developments and applications.

Acknowledgments

Haorong Li, Member ASHRAE, is Associate Professor. Daihong Yu, Student Member ASHRAE, PhD student. James E. Braun, PhD, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, is Professor.