Exergenics has developed the first cloud-based, AI-driven chilled plant optimisation tool for owners and operators of large commercial buildings. The solution helps building owners and operators reduce their buildings’ cooling energy consumption and carbon footprint while enhancing their chilled plants’ mechanical performance.
The Problem in Building and Construction
According to the UN Environment Program, in 2020, the buildings and construction sector accounted for almost 40% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and 35% of final energy demand. Decarbonising the building sector by building energy performance was one of the key topics at COP27 in Egypt.
Furthermore, cooling systems account for nearly 20% of the total electricity used in buildings worldwide, inflicting an unbearable cost on our climate, especially with the projected doubling of cooling demand by 2050.
Inefficient chilled water plant systems are a financial drain for building owners and challenging to optimise without data-driven insight. The current optimisation methods often miss potential savings or are unsuitable for clients requiring an air-gapped solution.
New Approach
After several years of research and development, Exergenics has developed a novel chilled plant optimisation solution with the capability to output recommendations to improve the efficiency of operation, which any controls engineer or technician can quickly implement.
The novelty of Exergenics’ software is in its proprietary algorithms, modelling and simulation capabilities that deliver optimised control strategies without installing expensive “Black box” hardware or involving consulting engineers, many excel spreadsheets and trialling control strategy changes until performance is improved. The software will be further strengthened by API-based implementation.
What’s Next
Under the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, the Accelerating Commercialisation service will provide $656,200 of the $1,312,400 project. The funding will be used to help Exergenics commercialise this software and achieve greater technical and commercial scalability. This will result in a significant export opportunity for Australia that will create STEM jobs while helping Australia and the rest of the world move closer to their sustainability targets.
