Model Predictive and Genetic Algorithm-Based Optimization of Residential Temperature Control in the Presence of Time-Varying Electricity Prices

This paper presents an optimal control algorithm for residential temperature regulation. The combination of concepts from system identification, model-predictive control, and genetic algorithms result in an optimization methodology capable of achieving an acceptable compromise between comfort and cost in the presence of constant as well as time-varying electricity prices. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach has the potential to achieve substantial energy savings and cost reductions while maintaining acceptable comfort levels with minimal consumer participation.