Dynamic hardware-in-the-loop testing in multiple climate conditions

The Future Building and Cities Lab specializes in testing HVAC systems to critically assess their performance and reliability, evaluate and develop predictive maintenance solutions, and study the impact of operating conditions. The lab also performs hardware-in-the-loop tests using software to simulate operating conditions.

Recent additions to the lab’s collection of test benches include a predictive maintenance test bench, an H2NG gas mixing installation, and an experimental tower to be used mainly for the development of refurbishment solutions for existing boilers.

Optimizing controls and sizing using Hardware-In-The-Loop testing

In 2022, a new 100-m3 climatic chamber was put in operation to test appliances in different climate conditions, for example to evaluate performance in specific areas or environments. The chamber can also be used to finetune the sizing of appliances to specific climate conditions.

The combination of the climate chamber with hardware-in-the-loop testing proves particularly interesting. For example, in 2023, the lab performed a dynamic test campaign on several appliances (condensing boiler, electrical heat pump, hybrid heat pump) connected to a hydraulic test bench controlled by a Dymola simulation model, to evaluate their relative performances. 

Expert Patrick Milin summarizes the scope and results: “We tested the appliances with the thermal conditions of several typical days of the year and its use in different building typologies. The test campaign allowed us to evaluate the performances of the boiler and the close loop correctly for each of these cases.”

The addition of the climatic chamber is a major step forward for the lab, especially for evaluating thermodynamic systems such as hybrid heat pumps.

Reliable results in a much shorter timeframe

Interestingly, the lab developed a methodology to identify the statistically most representative days of the year for performance testing. This allows reliable results to be achieved from just 4 days of testing instead of a full year.

Watch the construction of the climatic chamber: