A software system for energy savings in commercial buildings

Detailed Description:
BuildingIQ is a building energy management software that can learn and forecast your building's energy requirements, and continuously optimize your BMS settings to increase energy efficiency.

Known drawbacks of design:
-

Website:
http://buildingiq.com/

Designed in:
2009

Status of realization:
Other

Challenge(s):
economics, energy, environment, science, technology

Form
BuildingIQ's technology addresses the fundamental shortcomings of HVAC systems and the complexity of the control problem by using a multi-objective optimization framework. The framework is combined with an intelligent HVAC supervisory control system that utilizes multi-agent systems science and machine learning techniques to automatically evaluate different control scenarios to determine optimal control set-points and operating schedules. It also takes into account dynamic HVAC and building parameters, building occupant comfort feedback, as well as real-time energy grid and climate information. The supervisory control system pro-actively controls the existing Building Management System (BMS) to ensure that set-point outcomes are achieved. The technology is applicable to a wide range of BMS systems and types/ages of HVAC infrastructure.

Impact
The BuildingIQ system is the only energy management system that predicts energy demand and directly adjusts heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system parameters to continuously optimize energy use. BuildingIQ communicates with your building management system (BMS) and automatically reduces energy consumption while maintaining or improving tenant comfort. At the core of their system is a sophisticated thermal model that automatically learns your building's energy performance and then adapts to changes in internal or external conditions. BuildingIQ is the only system available today that factors in weather forecasts, occupant comfort, peak demand factors, and demand response signals to minimize energy cost and consumption for building owners. It consistently reduce energy costs and emissions by 10-30% while maintaining occupant comfort levels—even in buildings that were already rated as highly energy efficient.

Context
The BuildingIQ system can be used in both new and existing buildings and requires no infrastructure upgrades or capital expenditures. The product is delivered as a software solution and connects to most building management systems using industry-standard interfaces. Building owners can tweak the settings to optimize for reduced energy consumption, reduced cost and/or reduced carbon dioxide. The controls are on a console; users move the bars controlling each variable up and down to rank them in order of priority.

Is the design protected by patent or ip registration?
Patent

How has the development of the design been financed hereunto?
External investments

Is there a plan for future investments?
Yes

Is there in-house competencies to secure market roll out of the design, with regards to investment, distribution, sales, etc.?
Yes

Designed by:
Michael Zimmerman

Title/Role:
CEO

Professional status of designer:
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) from Amherst College and an MBA from Stanford Business School

Nationality:
United States of America

City/Country of residence:
Rushcutters Bay, Australia

Name of company:
BuildingIQ

Designed by:
Peter Dickinson

Title/Role:
VP Operations

Professional status of designer:
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronic Systems from the Australian National University

Nationality:
Australia

City/Country of residence:
Rushcutters Bay, Australia

Name of company:
BuildingIQ

Designed by:
Tom Celinski

Title/Role:
VP Engineering

Professional status of designer:
PhD in Adaptive Control of Sensory Perception in Robotic Systems

Nationality:
Australia

City/Country of residence:
Rushcutters Bay, Australia

Name of company:
BuildingIQ


Manufactured/Produced/Commisioned by:
Exto Partners
http://extopartners.com/

Additional credits:
CSIRO