This week on Monday Live, exploring the future of smarter buildings. we delved into the fascinating theme of OEM disruption, specifically focusing on how smart, connected mechanical equipment is transforming the industry.
True Perspective
We were fortunate to be joined by Kenny Seaton, Director of Central Plant Operations at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Kenny’s pioneering work has led to remarkable results, including a 71% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2018 and a 96% reduction in central plant gas usage last year, primarily through the adoption of large-scale heat pumps. His innovative approach recently earned him a Digi award for most intelligent higher education at the IBcon Recon Conference.
AI-Driven Optimization: A New Paradigm for Building Management
Kenny’s experience at CSU Dominguez Hills vividly illustrates the power of AI in building operations. He views his AI system, Facil.ai, not as a mere add-on but as a sophisticated operation sequence far surpassing traditional controls. By dynamically adjusting set points for optimal performance within predefined safety parameters, Facil has significant9ly improved efficiency. This approach challenges the conventional static design of OEM equipment and highlights the adaptive, continuous improvement capabilities of AI. For instance, after a system crash, allowing the AI to “re-learn” the optimal parameters led to even better efficiency in less than two weeks, demonstrating its ability to learn and adapt in real-time. This dynamic optimization also brings into question the traditional role of digital twins, suggesting that live, AI-driven control may render separate digital representations less necessary.
Beyond Equipment: Holistic Building Performance
The discussion extended beyond individual pieces of equipment, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to building management.
- Dynamic Control and Thermal Mass: Drawing parallels to historical dynamic control theories, the conversation highlighted the significant energy savings achieved by understanding and leveraging buildings’ thermal mass and strategically managing chilled water distribution. This includes utilizing the inherent thermal storage in piping systems to reduce nighttime plant operation and exploring larger-scale storage solutions.
- Grid Interaction and Demand Response: AI’s ability to facilitate interaction with the electrical grid for demand response events is becoming increasingly crucial, especially in regions with fluctuating energy prices and high renewable energy penetration. AI can automatically adjust system set points to reduce consumption during peak demand, leading to substantial cost savings.
- Occupancy-Based Control: A fundamental strategy for energy reduction discussed was occupancy-based control. By linking HVAC and lighting to real-time occupancy data, Kenny’s campus has achieved 40-50% energy savings in buildings. This shift moves from designing systems for worst-case scenarios to customizing operations based on actual usage.
- Optimizing Human Resources: While AI doesn’t necessarily reduce headcount, it reallocates human resources. Instead of constantly responding to comfort complaints, technicians can focus on higher-value tasks such as system diagnostics, proactive maintenance, and further optimization, turning them into “energy champions.”
The Future Landscape: Separating Hardware from Intelligence
A key takeaway from the discussion was the potential future trend of separating hardware manufacturing from AI algorithm development.
- Open Systems and Vendor Agnosticism: This separation would allow building owners to select the best-of-breed AI solutions independently of their equipment or controls vendors. It fosters a more open and competitive market, enabling greater flexibility and preventing vendor lock-in.
- Enhanced Integration and Security: An independent AI layer can seamlessly integrate data from diverse equipment manufacturers, providing a unified brain for the entire building. This approach also simplifies security management and ensures that the AI can be updated and adapted over the extended lifecycle of building equipment.
- The “Check Engine Light” for Buildings: This decoupled AI can act as a sophisticated diagnostic tool, proactively identifying sensor malfunctions or inefficient operations that might go unnoticed by traditional Building Automation Systems (BAS).
Looking Ahead
The industry is moving towards a landscape where AI is central in optimizing performance, challenging established OEM practices, and empowering building operators with unprecedented control and efficiency.
Discussing how the current wave of technological innovation is causing significant disruption, particularly for large original equipment manufacturers (OEM) companies. Today, Monday Live! Will focus on mechanical equipment that is becoming increasingly intelligent and capable, eliminating the need for a control and automation system.
Watch the fascinating discussion on the importance of truly understanding the inner workings of HVAC equipment. In this episode, Kenny Seeton and Keith Gipson outlined their highly successful application of AI on chillers.
https://lnkd.in/e5AgmkWv Anno Scholten, Anto Budiardjo, David Wilts, James Lee, Keith Gipson, Ken Sinclair, Rick Justis, Roger Woodward, Steve Fey, Tracy Markie, C4SB – Coalition for Smarter Buildings, The IBB Project
Ken Sinclair • YouFounder, Publisher and Owner at AutomatedBuildings.com
Great discussion, Kenny, great observations. AI at a manufacturer’s level, ie chiller, may add more complexity and less control for the operator. AI agents need to control the owner and have great insights. Plus, no one could be a Kenergy twin
Keith Gipson • 1stFounder, CEO of facil.ai
Ken Sinclair Thank you! It’s been a fascinating journey these past 25 years and beyond! I appreciate your support and especially your friendship!
Thanks Kenny
Kenny Seeton • 1stDirector of Central Plant Operations and Strategic Energy Projects at CSUDH
Ken Sinclair, I’m truly honored by your words, especially coming from someone whose work has been instrumental in shaping this industry. Thank you for allowing me to share and to be part of the conversation you’ve long been leading.
What are your thoughts on the evolving relationship between OEMs and AI in the smart building sector?
automatedbuildings.com contributing editor adds clarity to our Monday live discussion. thanks, Kimon
