Presentation on Big Data Analysis Applications in Scientific Research at the GLOBALCON Conference
In the heart of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is leading the way in energy efficiency with the help of a cutting-edge Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) program. This innovative approach, integrated into the university's ongoing building commissioning process, is revolutionising the way they manage their large, energy-intensive buildings.
At the helm of this transformation is Randolph L. Haines, the Co-Presenter and Energy Manager at Thomas Jefferson University. Haines holds multiple titles including C.E.M., B.E.P., C.L.E.P., C.M.V.P., and C.S.D.P., and is instrumental in the university's energy management strategies.
On the other side of the city, David S. Landman, the Presenter and C.E.M., serves as the Chief of Energy Engineering & Analytics at Performance Cimetrics, Inc. Landman's expertise is instrumental in the development and implementation of FDD programs.
The FDD program works by continuously analysing building system data, particularly from HVAC and critical equipment, to detect subtle anomalies early. These anomalies, if left unchecked, could cause significant performance drops or downtime. By identifying inefficiencies or faults, such as drifting sensors or abnormal equipment current draw, the FDD program prioritises them based on criticality and provides actionable insights for targeted maintenance or system adjustments.
The FDD process comprises several key elements. First, it involves continuous monitoring of sensor and equipment data, capturing conditions like temperature, humidity, airflow, and motor currents. Early anomaly detection can prevent faults from escalating or causing non-compliance, such as a drifting humidity sensor in a cleanroom.
Second, the program uses automated analytics and diagnostics to detect deviations from expected operation by comparing live data to models or baselines. These analyses, often enhanced by AI and digital twins, predict failures well in advance, like forecasting component failure and recommending repairs weeks early.
Third, the program prioritises faults based on critical zones or equipment, ensuring facilities managers can focus resources where they impact safety or operational goals most. For instance, a fault in an isolation room gets higher priority than an office system.
Fourth, the FDD program is integrated with building management systems (BMS), offering centralised dashboards for fault tracking, alerts, and actionable insights. Customised workflows enable rapid fault resolution, functional testing, preventive maintenance, and documentation to sustain optimal operation and compliance during commissioning and ongoing operations.
Lastly, the FDD program is used in ongoing commissioning workflows (monitoring-based commissioning, MBCx), to maintain energy performance and system integrity post-initial setup by fine-tuning control strategies and scheduling maintenance adaptively rather than relying on fixed schedules or reactive repairs.
In large, energy-intensive buildings like those at Thomas Jefferson University, this continuous FDD-supported ongoing commissioning (OCx) methodology helps reduce energy waste, minimise unexpected downtime, maintain occupant comfort, and extend equipment life, all critical in complex environments with high operational demands.
In essence, the FDD program acts as a proactive, data-driven backbone that blends sensor data, advanced analytics, AI models, and human expertise to optimise energy efficiency and system performance on an ongoing basis in these facilities.
Periodic reports from the FDD program offer valuable insights to owners, helping them optimise efficiency and comfort, lower maintenance costs, and manage facility staff and contractors. Examples of results from the FDD program will soon be showcased in large energy-intensive buildings at Thomas Jefferson University, demonstrating the program's potential to revolutionise energy management in the educational sector.
Building commissioning, a process intended to ensure building systems function efficiently and satisfy operational needs, is crucial in maintaining the university's high standards. New building commissioning, a type of building commissioning, and retrocommissioning, the retroactive commissioning of an existing building, are essential in ensuring the university's buildings perform optimally over time. Ongoing commissioning, a commissioning process intended to continuously improve or maintain a building's performance, is key to maximising the performance of existing building equipment and systems.
The FDD program at Thomas Jefferson University is a testament to the university's commitment to sustainability and efficiency. By harnessing the power of data and advanced analytics, the university is setting an example for other institutions to follow in the pursuit of a greener, more energy-efficient future.
- The FDD program, utilized in Thomas Jefferson University's energy-intensive buildings, integrates technology such as data-and-cloud-computing and AI to continuously analyze building system data from health-and-wellness facilities, fitness-and-exercise centers, and other areas, ensuring optimal performance through early detection of anomalies.
- The finance industry could greatly benefit from implementing similar FDD systems, as it would help them minimize unexpected downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend the life of critical equipment, correlated to improved productivity and profitability.
- Apart from energy-intensive universities, the manufacturing industry may also find value in the FDD program, as it provides targeted maintenance and system adjustments, resulting in increased uptime and reduced energy waste, essential for maintaining operational demands and high-quality output.
- Data-and-cloud-computing not only serves as the backbone for advanced FDD programs but also plays a crucial role in the science sector, fueling research and development by enabling seamless access to vast quantities of data, driving innovation and discovery.
- As the push for sustainability and energy efficiency grows across various sectors, including science, finance, manufacturing, fitness-and-exercise, and health-and-wellness, the implementation of cutting-edge FDD programs and technologies emerges as a key contributor to reducing energy waste, optimizing system performance, and ensuring a greener future.
