Distributed set point configuration in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems

An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory comprising program code, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform a method for generating a supply stream temperature set point for a particular distribution channel element of a plurality of distribution channel elements associated with a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:

• identifying a hierarchical position of the particular distribution channel element within a hierarchical architecture of the plurality of distribution channel elements;
• identifying a plurality of potential set point configuration actions associated with the particular distribution channel element, wherein each potential set point configuration action of the plurality of potential set point configuration actions is expected to cause transition of the particular distribution channel element from a current state of a plurality of potential states to a future state of the plurality of potential states;
• determining an overall cost measure, the overall cost measure based on an operational cost, an upstream cost, and a downstream cost, for each potential set point configuration action of the plurality of potential set point configuration actions based at least in part on the hierarchical position of the particular distribution channel element;
• and
• generating the supply stream temperature set point based on each overall cost measure associated with a potential set point configuration action of the plurality of potential set point configuration actions.

A non-transitory computer storage medium comprising instructions configured to cause one or more processors to at least perform a method for generating a supply stream temperature set point for a particular distribution channel element of a plurality of distribution channel elements associated with a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:

• identifying a hierarchical position of the particular distribution channel element within a hierarchical architecture of the plurality of distribution channel elements;
• identifying a plurality of potential set point configuration actions associated with the particular distribution channel element, wherein each potential set point configuration action of the plurality of potential set point configuration actions is expected to cause transition of the particular distribution channel element from a current state of a plurality of potential states to a future state of the plurality of potential states;
• determining an overall cost measure, the overall cost measure based on an operational cost, an upstream cost, and a downstream cost, for each potential set point configuration action of the plurality of potential set point configuration actions based at least in part on the hierarchical position of the particular distribution channel element;
• and
• generating the supply stream temperature set point based on each overall cost measure associated with a potential set point configuration action of the plurality of potential set point configuration actions.