Variable refrigerant flow system with pressure optimization using extremum-seeking control

A method for operating a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system for a building, the method comprising:

• determining a total power consumption of a plurality of outdoor VRF units;
• generating a pressure setpoint for the plurality of outdoor VRF units using an extremum-seeking control technique that drives the total power consumption toward an extremum;
• and
• using the pressure setpoint to operate the plurality of outdoor VRF units.

An extremum-seeking controller for a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, the extremum-seeking controller comprising:

• one or more interfaces configured to provide control signals to the VRF system;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to:
• determine a total power consumption of a plurality of outdoor VRF units;
• generate a pressure setpoint for the plurality of outdoor VRF units using an extremum-seeking control technique that drives the total power consumption toward an extremum;
• and
• use the pressure setpoint to operate the plurality of outdoor VRF units.