1. Introduction to HVAC Optimization
Matt Tyson, PE, CEM
November 2015

2. Energy Consumption in HVAC Systems
Chilled water plant
Air-handling system
Boiler plant
Other
100%
75%
50%
25% 0% 5%
35%
Typical building energy load
HVAC system detail
Total annual average
If you can solve for HVAC optimization, and waterside in particular, you’ve solved the hardest part: the biggest energy expense in the system.
Commercial and Industrial building owners spend $202B annually on energy
30% of that expenditure is wasted
Our solution addresses this issue. We start with HVAC, which is the biggest energy hog.
Sources: IDC and the EIA Commercial Building Consumption Survey

3. The Three Laws of HVAC System Optimization
You cannot optimize what you cannot measure.
Data collection via fully integrated sensor and meter network
All relevant mechanical components tracked in real time
Optimize systems, not just individual components.
Holistic, system-based energy optimization
Ensures peak efficiency of entire heating and cooling system
Optimization must be automatic, dynamic, and continuous.
Real-time dynamic process
Closed-loop system: does not require operator intervention

4. The Wrong Approach: Hunting
The biggest threat to effective optimization is lack of system transparency and stability
Common approach: hunt and reset
Hunting creates instability and loss of savings
Supply Air Temperature
Static Pressure
Chilled Water Valve Position
The biggest threat to effective optimization is lack of system transparency and stability… which causes plant operators to manually override automated settings or turn the optimization system off.
Common approach: try and hunt to try to reset chilled water temperature, chilled water pump speed, condenser water pump speed, cooling tower fan speed, AHU supply air temperature, and AHU static pressure simultaneously
Hunting creates instability & discomfort; which leads to operator override of the system … and loss of savings

5. The Right Approach: On-Premise Real-Time Dynamic Commissioning (RTDC) Eliminating hunting with relational control
Cooling Tower Fan Speed
Condenser Pump Speed
Chiller Vane
& Speed
Chilled Water Pump Speed
Air Handler Fan Speed
Total System Cooling Output
VFD’s
Total System Energy Input
Starting on the device layer: we integrate directly into HVAC controls – our advanced relational control algorithms continuously calibrate the HVAC system. The software makes continuous, automatic adjustments to the system based on the building load. Our solution advises the BAS on what actions to take to optimize the plant, providing operating instructions at 30 second intervals. This ongoing process continuously optimizes the kw draw for each component.
Total System Schematic

6. Chiller Plant Efficiency Scale
Just like miles per gallon, the kW/ton figure reflects the efficiency of the chiller plant regardless of the amount of cooling produced
Ultra Efficient Data Center Plants
Efficient Plants
High Efficiency
Plants
Legacy Chiller Plants
Conventional Plants
Average annual chilled water plant efficiency in kW/ton.
Input includes: chillers, tower fans, condenser pumps, and chilled water pumping.
Annual average kW per ton

7. Closed-loop system control
Chilled Water System Optimization
Cloud-Based M&V
Patented relational control algorithms
Automatically and continuously optimize plant performance in real time
Dynamically adapt to yield the lowest energy draw while meeting availability requirements
Flexible implementation: e.g., ability to start with cooling towers
OptimumLOOP TM
Closed-loop system control
Building Automation System
Operational Modules
VFD’s
VFD’s
Meet your resource efficiency challenges through OptimumLOOP: patented, state-of-the-art configurable control software that forms one operational module of the OptiCx Platform.
OptimumLOOP provides continuous, system-level optimization of centrifugal chilled water plants. Its patented relational control algorithms calculate the most efficient operation of an entire chilled water system and automatically and continuously optimize plant performance in real time. OptimumLOOP yields energy efficiency savings of up to 50%.
Availability
The technology continuously and dynamically adapts to fluctuating load, weather and occupancy conditions to yield the lowest possible kW/ton—and the greatest energy and cost savings—while maintaining superior occupant comfort.
Chillers
Pumps
&Valves
Tower
Fans

8. Closed-loop system control
Air-Handling System Optimization
Cloud-Based M&V
Continuous optimization of DDC variable air volume handlers
Automatically adjust airflow to deliver precise output
Minimize fan power, chilled water, and heating energy consumption
Supplies cooling load from most efficient source based on real-time conditions
Closed-loop system control
Building Automation System
Operational Modules
VFD’s
VFD’s
Meet resource efficiency challenges in an air-handling system through OptimumVAV. Efficiency improvement with OptimumVAV ranges between 20-40%.
OptimumVAV is patented, state-of-the-art configurable control software that forms one operational module of the Optimum Energy optimization platform, the OptiCx Platform. It provides continuous, automated, system-level optimization of direct digital controlled (DDC) variable air volume air handlers to yield peak efficiency and performance in the most efficient manner. This platform module, interoperable with multiple building automation systems (BAS), dramatically reduces operator intervention time and lowers costs.
AHUs
VAVs / CAVs

9. Closed-loop system control
Boiler Plant Optimization
Cloud-Based M&V
Continuously calculates the most efficient operation of boilers and pumps
Demand-based relational control algorithms optimize hot water and steam systems
Closed-loop system control
Building Automation System
Operational Modules
VFD’s
VFD’s
New application – still in beta mode. OptimumHT uses demand-based relational control algorithms to continuously calculate the most efficient operation of boilers and pumps, dynamically optimizing performance in real time. With the introduction of OptimumHT, our solution now optimizes all components of an HVAC system: chilled water, airside, and boiler systems. No other solution on the market does this.
Boilers
Pumps
&Valves

10. Cloud-Based M&V: Real-Time Transparency
Real-Time Analytics
System Diagnostics & Prognostics
Web &
Mobile Apps
Robust, interactive data visualization with dynamic charting
Anytime, anywhere access to performance and energy savings
Intelligent operations management for facility operators
VFD’s
VFD’s
Our suite of web and mobile apps provide real-time transparency that is lacking in today’s complex plant environment.
OptiCx web software: cloud-based FDD, M&V, and performance drift mitigation. Dynamic charting. Individual plant summaries as well as rolled up total campus views.
OptiCx Trend - anytime, anywhere access to performance and energy savings. Available through all major Web browsers, and in both the iTunes and Android marketplaces. OptiCx Tune - intelligent operations management for facility operators responsible for day-to-day operations of a central plant or facility. Tune is available as a web browser-based app.
Why Subscribe to the OptiCx Platform (Expert level)?
The best choice for optimization maintenance. For a fraction of the cost of maintaining optimization experts on your own plant staff, we provide an entire department of engineers trained and experienced in HVAC system optimization.
Real-time transparency into plant operations. Continuous collection of plant data. Alerts, real-time data visualizations, and analysis tools for early problem detection
Mitigation of performance drift. Avoid mechanical degradation and the resulting maintenance expenditures. Our team works directly with your plant staff to identify mechanical and operational issues that affect plant efficiency.
Access to world-class expertise. Our Technical Account Managers and Energy Engineers are focused only on optimizing your plant: we don’t sell equipment or controls.
Chillers
Boilers
Pumps
&Valves
Tower
Fans
AHUs
VAVs / CAVs

11. Building Automation System
Holistic HVAC System Optimization: A Platform Approach
Machine Learning Layer
Cloud-Based M&V
Cloud Layer
Real-Time Analytics
System Diagnostics & Prognostics
Web &
Mobile Apps
Optimization Layer
Chilled water
Air-handling system
Boiler plant
Real-time Dynamic Commissioning
Control Layer
Building Automation System
Operational Modules
Sensor & Intelligence Layer
Device Layer
VFD’s
VFD’s
We take a platform approach to operational efficiency, to address the challenges outlined on the previous slide:
Availability
Our patent-protected algorithms conduct optimization calculations, and then send recommendations back to the Building Automation System on how to minimize power draw throughout the system. These 30-second intervals allow our software to be responsive to availability requirements, without over-modulating the plant.
Resource efficiency
Our operational modules deliver significant resource efficiency, in energy, co2, water. They use a proprietary approach to interdependently and relationally optimize each HVAC sub-system as a coordinated whole.
Budget constraints, Performance Drift
TCO: deep savings up to 50%. Increased savings through O&M: operator productivity and maintenance savings (performance drift)
Transparency
Web and mobile apps provide anytime, anywhere access to your performance and energy savings.
System efficiency
We improve system efficiency by integrating down to the device layer, maximizing the performance of enterprise-grade HVAC equipment in complex, challenging environments. Our on-site operational modules provide data-driven energy optimization for chiller plants, boiler plants, and air-handling systems. Based on your energy efficiency goals, you choose which operational modules to implement and when.
Chillers
Boilers
Pumps
&Valves
Tower
Fans
AHUs
VAVs / CAVs