Pittsburgh building portfolio cyber-secure, real-time utility data integration and AI analysis
| Pittsburgh building portfolio cyber-secure, real-time utility data integration and AI analysis | |
|---|---|
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 Pittsburgh PA | |
| Team Organizations | Energy Innovation Center Carnegie Mellon University Building Ideas Group OSIsoft AVEVA Boss Controls ITRON Duquesne Light Company Peoples Gas |
| Team Leaders | Azizan Aziz Mike Mihuc |
| Participating Municipalities | Pittsburgh PA |
| Status | Ready for Public Announcement |
| Document | None |
Description
This project is expanding on a successful 5 building pilot with the City of Pittsburgh to integrate most of the 167 city building’s real-time (15 minute interval) utility and usage data in the BuildFit application and BOSS Controls Smart Plugs. Using visualizations and artificial intelligence algorithms developed at the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) School of Architecture (SOA), BuildFit will then provide recommendations for utility savings, sub-metering and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) optimization. The project will also allow for comprehensive support for the Pittsburgh Building Benchmarking Ordinance and Regional Energy Strategy (Power of 32) and 2030 District Challenge to improve energy resiliency and efficiency. Another important feature of the software and hardware components of this project will be defining and implementing the cyber security standards for smart building components and software in conjunction with NIST and other key government agencies. This will also include the first Smart Building/Smart City independent training, testing and certification lab at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, PA
Challenges
- Cities typically don’t have real-time utility sub-metering and building automation systems to be able to securely benchmark utility usage and improve energy efficiency.
- The 5 building pilot provided some value with integrating monthly utility data, but showed the need for more real-time data to provide better efficiency recommendations and Smart Plugs to improve energy savings.
- Additionally, with new disclosure and benchmarking laws, there needs to be improved, secure, portfolio integrated building utility data collection and analysis.
Solutions
- The BuildFIt application is a cloud based, building information system with AI algorithms, built using the DOE’s SEED platform and OSIsoft PI toolkit, that can easily and securely integrate with any utility and building data to provide visualizations, benchmarking and recommendations for building portfolio energy efficiencies & IEQ.
Major Requirements
- Fund project through local utilities, as well as foundations and family offices as required
- Coordination with City of Pittsburgh building utility providers to have each utility agree to and then configure transmission of real-time (15 minute interval) data securely to the BuildFit application.
- Securely integrate City of Pittsburgh building real-time utility and usage data with the BuildFit application, with verification of data accuracy
- Determine buildings and circuits that could most benefit from sub-metering and Smart Plugs using BuildFit data recommendations
- Establishing and execute implementation plan for sub-meters with key partners in project, working with the City of Pittsburgh to ensure completion.
- Integrate sub-metering information and Smart Plugs with BuildFit application, expanding analytics, visualizations, reports, energy efficiency and IEQ recommendations
- Work with NIST and other key government agencies to define Smart Building software and component cyber security standards
- Develop first independent national training, testing and certification lab for new standards
Performance Targets
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | Measurement Methods |
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Standards, Replicability, Scalability, and Sustainability
- This project will use Smart Building/Smart City cyber security standards developed by NIST and other key government agencies with the BuildFit application and BOSS Controls.
- National building energy usage benchmarking standards such as EPA’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for various building typologies will also be used
- Proving energy data integration, AI analysis, visualizations, smart plug monitoring and actuation, recommendations and cost savings in older city buildings that do not have building automation systems would establish a very desirable model for repeatability in other cities
- Already having entities with over 4,000 buildings in the BuildFit application proves scalability of the application, OSISoft PI contains millions of tags, and BOSS Controls has substantial US based Smart Plug manufacturing capabilities
- Having the artificial intelligence analytics, visualizations and recommendations across a building portfolio will allow for sustainability of continuous monitoring, improvements, ROI validation and energy savings
Cybersecurity and Privacy
TBD
Impacts
- With this project, the BuildFit application and submeter partner components will be further proven to be the industry standard tools for secure large building portfolio energy utility and usage data integration, improvements and cost savings
- The City of Pittsburgh will be saving money on its energy usage with ongoing opportunity for additional savings through continued BuildFit/BOSS controls use
- With expansion to other cities, the BuildFit application and BOSS controls teams will continue to grow, creating new jobs and significant building portfolio energy savings
Demonstration/Deployment
The project deployment at the GCTC Expo would include a live demonstration of the BuildFit application integrated with some subset of the City of Pittsburgh building portfolio and well as BOSS Controls Smart Plugs, including energy and usage visualizations, benchmarking and recommendations for energy efficiencies.