ESILEnergy Systems Intelligence LaboratoryThermal systems · controls · optimization · experiments
Facilities

Experimental & computational capabilities

ESIL is developing infrastructure for controlled HVAC testing, high-resolution measurement, data acquisition, controller implementation, and model validation.

Controlled environment

Environmental-chamber testing

Repeatable experiments for HVAC and heat-pump systems under controlled boundary conditions.

  • Thermal-system performance characterization
  • Controller and sequence testing
  • Fault and transient experiments
  • Model and digital-twin validation
Measurement

Instrumentation & data acquisition

Sensor and DAQ architectures support synchronized measurement of thermal, airflow, electrical, and control variables.

  • Temperature and humidity
  • Pressure and airflow
  • Electrical power and equipment state
  • Control signals and high-resolution time series
Controls

Controller & hardware integration

Infrastructure is being developed to connect research algorithms with real sensors, actuators, HVAC equipment, and supervisory control platforms.

  • Real-time control experiments
  • Hardware-aware algorithm validation
  • Fault injection and diagnostic testing
  • Model/hardware co-simulation
Computation

Modeling & simulation platforms

Research workflows use MATLAB, Python, Modelica, Simulink, EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and related tools.

  • Dynamic simulation and system identification
  • Optimization and model predictive control
  • Data analytics and machine learning
  • Building and equipment modeling
Prior experimental platforms

Experience connecting algorithms to real buildings and HVAC systems.

The following schematics summarize experimental platforms used in Junke Wang's prior published research. They demonstrate relevant implementation experience, but they are not presented as current ESIL-owned facilities.

SmartthermostatRaspberry Pi /VOLTTRONHeat pumppower &operationInstrumented lab homedistributed sensors · APIs · real-time agents
Residential testbed · prior OU work

Lab-home MPC and FDD implementation

An instrumented single-family lab house supported thermostat integration, Raspberry Pi/VOLTTRON agents, distributed sensing, heat-pump monitoring, real-time parameter learning, MPC, and FDD validation.

Outdoor airReturn airDampersFilterCoilSupply fanSensorsSupply airBuilding automation systemairflow · load · setpoints · fan speed · damper commands
Commercial HVAC testbed · prior OU work

AHU and BAS controls platform

A commercial air-handling-unit/BAS environment supported energy-feedback control, supply-fan control, virtual airflow metering, occupancy-responsive ventilation, and grid-interactive HVAC experiments.

Research loop

Facilities are part of the methodology—not just infrastructure.

The lab is structured around a closed research loop that connects model development, control and diagnostic algorithms, implementation, measurement, and iterative model improvement.

Model
→
Design algorithms
→
Implement
→
Measure & refine
Current ESIL facility specifications will be expanded as commissioning is completed. Verified chamber operating ranges, equipment capacities, sensor inventories, photographs, and test capabilities will be added as they are finalized.