Sensor fault diagnosis and calibration techniques in building energy systems: A review and future outlook

Abstract

While extensive research has been conducted on fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) and sensor calibration in building energy systems, a comprehensive overview of the technical developments in these areas, particularly in response to emerging needs such as high-precision measurement and the advent of new technologies like big data and artificial intelligence, remains limited. To bridge this gap, this paper presents a systematic review of sensor-related topics in building energy systems. It logically summarizes existing research, draws conclusions on current developments, and predicts future trends in sensor technology. The paper categorizes the impacts of sensor failures on energy systems into three primary areas: energy efficiency, thermal fault diagnosis, and indoor thermal comfort. It then outlines the evolution of FDD methods by introducing various models. Finally, recent studies and applications of “true value”/benchmark value determination methods, calibration algorithms, and measurement performance evaluation are presented, along with a summary of the main challenges in sensor calibration and evaluation for ensuring efficient building energy system operation in the context of these emerging trends.