by Brianna Crandall — October 2, 2015—Energy management software company BuildingIQ recently announced that its Predictive Energy Optimization (PEO) platform, which actively predicts and manages HVAC loads in commercial buildings, will serve as the technology powering Xcel Energy’s new Building Optimization Pilot Program.
The software uses variables such as occupant comfort, building characteristics, historical data, weather forecasts, and utility signals to make real-time changes to temperature and airflow to alleviate energy use when the power grid is constrained.(Click on image to enlarge)
Xcel Energy’s Building Optimization Pilot Program
Through this pilot, approximately 10 commercial buildings that average daily summer peak load over 500kW within the utility’s Colorado territory will install BuildingIQ’s cloud-based solution. The PEO software is designed to be quick to install and to enable users to see results right away, without disruption to a building’s infrastructure or daily activities.
Participating buildings are expected to experience a reduction in day-to-day energy consumption and can be automatically called upon by Xcel Energy to assist in demand response relief, thus allowing the utility to avoid the need to purchase or produce additional power during periods of high demand.
BuildingIQ’s Predictive Energy Optimization (PEO) platform
BuildingIQ’s software leverages predictive analytics to enable intelligent building management. Variables such as occupant comfort, building characteristics, historical data, weather forecasts, and utility signals are used to make real-time changes to temperature and airflow in order to alleviate energy use when the power grid is constrained. The technology allows customers to take control of their energy costs and help improve the environment.
BuildingIQ’s optimization platform is said to be unique in that measurement and verification (M&V) is an intrinsic part of the system. All collected data is compared to baseline models, and reported savings are consistent with International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocols (IPMVP). In addition, through Xcel Energy’s program these savings will be examined by a third-party evaluator.
