Occupant behavior modelling to support the development of adaptive facade control strategies

This study investigates the appropriate model complexity for occupancy models when assessing the performance of presence-dependent control strategies for adaptive solar shading systems. BPS tools are useful during the R&D process of innovative, solar shading control strategies. However, inappropriate consideration of key aspects of occupant behavior (OB) in the BPS tools could lead to suboptimal design decisions. Therefore, a previously developed methodology was applied to select fit-for-purpose OB models for different solar shading control strategies. The results show that a refined occupancy model is needed when evaluating the energy performance of the best-performing strategy, while it would be redundant in all other cases. Nevertheless, considering a variety of scenarios as opposed to a single occupancy schedule is essential to informed decision-making.