Building energy cost optimization system with asset sizing

A method, comprising:

• obtaining a cost function defining a cost of operating building equipment over a time period as a function of one or more energy load setpoints for the equipment, the cost function comprising a revenue term defining revenue to be obtained by operating the equipment to participate in an incentive program over the time period;
• modifying the cost function to account for both an initial purchase cost of a new asset to be added to the equipment and an effect of the new asset on the cost of operating the equipment, wherein both the initial purchase cost of the new asset and the effect of the new asset on the cost of operating the equipment are functions of one or more asset size variables;
• performing an optimization of the modified cost function to determine values for the energy load setpoints, the asset size variables, and participation in the incentive program over the time period;
• and
• acquiring and installing the new asset having an asset size based on the values of the asset size variables resulting from the optimization of the modified cost function.

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media containing program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

• obtaining a cost function defining a cost operating building equipment over a time period as a function of one or more energy load setpoints for the equipment, the cost function comprising a revenue term defining revenue to be obtained by operating the equipment to participate in an incentive program over the time period;
• modifying the cost function to account for both an initial purchase cost of a new asset to be added to the equipment and an effect of the new asset on the cost of operating the equipment, wherein both the initial purchase cost of the new asset and the effect of the new asset on the cost of operating the equipment are functions of one or more asset size variables;
• performing an optimization of the modified cost function to determine values for the energy load setpoints, the asset size variables, and participation in the incentive program over the time period;
• and
• causing acquisition and installation of the new asset having an asset size based on the values of the asset size variables resulting from the optimization of the modified cost function.