Australian shopping mall saves energy while reducing equipment runtime

Upgrading existing HVAC system with autonomous artificial intelligence

BrainBox AI installed its predictive and self-adaptive technology into a 215,800 sq. ft. shopping centre in New South Wales, Australia, using a custom built driver for the Tridium Niagara framework to connect to the building’s existing HVAC system. This simple update allowed the system to seamlessly transform into an autonomous one using artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and a set of custom curated algorithms. After a few weeks of data mapping, building analysis and an AI learning period, BrainBox AI was able to establish a strategy unique to the building by enriching its existing data sets with external weather and tariff structure data, resulting in a significant reduction in asset and equipment runtimes as well as energy consumption from HVAC operations.

This resulted in electricity savings on HVAC equipment of 29,855 kWh or 21% after only five months, translating to 4,776.80 AUD saved on the client’s utility bill. These savings proved to be significant in an asset that, like many Australian buildings, was already operating reasonably efficiently. 

Beyond electricity savings, BrainBox AI’s technology helped optimise the usage of certain HVAC equipment autonomously, leading to a 25% reduction in runtime on supply fans, 44% reduction in compression runtimes, and 2% increase in setpoint adherence*, proving that operational efficiency can be obtained while maintaining occupant comfort.

*Based on a 1-week assessment in May 2022.

"This industry-defining technology is a major step forward in making buildings more environmentally friendly, as well as creating exceptional customer experiences and ultimately driving significant value and cost efficiencies for our investors."

- Head of Asset Technology