Video: AI 101 Webinar Series

AI 101 - Part 2: Airside & Waterside Optimization Driving Efficiency with AI

Overview

Part 2 of the AI webinar series explored how AI-powered HVAC optimization can help building owners and operators reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, improve occupant comfort, and support sustainability goals. The session was led by Robbie Davis (Director of Product Management, OpenBlue) and Derek Supple (Customer Advisory & Advocacy Lead, OpenBlue).

Why AI Matters in Building Operations

The presenters highlighted that modern buildings face increasing pressure from:

• Rising utility costs
• Sustainability and decarbonization targets
• Building performance regulations
• Occupant expectations for comfort
• Limited facility staffing and aging infrastructure

While most buildings already collect large amounts of operational data through building automation systems, the challenge is turning that data into actionable decisions. AI helps bridge this gap by continuously analyzing conditions and optimizing system performance in real time.

Waterside HVAC Optimization

What It Is

Waterside systems include:

• Chillers
• Boilers
• Heat pumps
• Cooling towers
• Pumps
• Thermal energy storage systems

AI-powered waterside optimization continuously evaluates variables such as:

• Weather conditions
• Building occupancy
• Utility rates
• Peak demand charges
• Equipment availability and maintenance status

It then determines the most efficient operating strategy to deliver heating and cooling while minimizing energy costs.

Key Benefits

According to the presenters:

• Older buildings often have double-digit energy savings opportunities.
• Buildings with modern automation systems can still unlock an additional 3-5% in savings.
• Research from DOE-funded national labs suggests advanced supervisory controls can reduce HVAC energy consumption by 10-15%.

Customer Example: Children's of Alabama

By combining infrastructure upgrades with OpenBlue Waterside HVAC Optimization, the healthcare organization achieved:

• 15% IRR
• $6M net present value
• Positive cash flow by Year 4
• 78% reduction in natural gas usage
• 34% reduction in carbon emissions related to the central plant

The project demonstrated how AI optimization and heat pump technology can work together to support electrification and decarbonization efforts.

Customer Example: Stanford University

The webinar also referenced Stanford's central energy facility, where AI-powered optimization has been used for over a decade.

The system helps determine:

• When to charge/discharge thermal energy storage
• How to optimize for either:
  • Lowest utility costs
  • Lowest greenhouse gas emissions

One comparison showed a tradeoff between:

• $208,000 annual utility savings
• 386 metric tons of avoided carbon emissions

The key lesson: there is no single "best" operating strategy. AI enables operators to optimize based on their organization's priorities.

Airside HVAC Optimization

What It Is

Airside systems include:

• Air handlers
• Rooftop units
• Terminal boxes
• Ventilation systems

AI continuously adjusts:

• Airflow
• Pressure setpoints
• Equipment schedules
• Ventilation strategies

based on:

• Occupancy patterns
• Weather forecasts
• Indoor conditions
• Comfort requirements

rather than relying on static schedules created months or years earlier.

From Reactive to Predictive Operations

The presenters contrasted traditional operations with AI-driven operations.

Traditional approach:

• Occupancy changes occur
• Comfort issues develop
• Complaints arrive
• Operators react to alarms
• Manual adjustments are made

AI-driven approach:

• Detects occupancy changes early
• Predicts future conditions
• Makes proactive adjustments
• Maintains comfort before issues occur

The result is improved occupant comfort with less operator intervention.

Four Airside Optimization Techniques

The webinar highlighted four common AI optimization strategies:

1. Intelligent Startup

AI learns the ideal equipment startup time each day to reach comfort targets exactly when occupants arrive, avoiding unnecessary runtime.

2. Static Pressure Optimization

Pressure setpoints are continuously adjusted using predictive models and machine learning to match actual occupancy and demand.

3. Intelligent Ramp Down

The system gradually reduces HVAC output as building occupancy decreases during the day.

4. Intelligent Shutdown

AI determines the earliest possible shutdown time while maintaining occupant comfort, reducing energy waste and equipment wear.

Real-World Airside Results

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

A multi-year study involving:

• GSA
• Department of Energy
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

found that Airside HVAC Optimization delivered:

• 5-11% energy savings
• Carbon reduction benefits
• High operator acceptance

Notably, 95% of operators were comfortable allowing autonomous optimization after gaining familiarity with the system.

Jamestown Properties

At Waterfront Plaza in San Francisco, OpenBlue Airside Optimization achieved:

• 260% return on investment
• Reduced hot/cold comfort complaints
• Improved tenant comfort while lowering energy use

This demonstrated that energy savings and occupant experience can improve simultaneously.