Optimizing Operations and Driving Energy Savings with Switch Automation

Overview

Partnering with a Global Services Operator, this Fortune 100 Financial Services end customer aimed to implement an Enterprise Operations Data solution for facilities management across 14 buildings in their fleet. Objectives included optimizing operations, identifying energy savings, and ensuring occupant comfort. Challenges included integrating data from multiple systems and implementing a scalable solution for enterprise-wide use.

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The Solution: Switch Automation

Switch Automation was selected for its comprehensive data integration, user-friendly interface, and powerful analytics. The platform helped centralize and normalize data from diverse sources, providing actionable insights for the facilities team.

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Key Solution Highlights

• Data Normalization: Integrated data from 11 different BMS providers/manufacturers, aggregating nearly 50,000 sensor points and 6,200 assets into an independent data layer (IDL). Data tagging followed Brick standards, with point and equipment classifications, making it easy to track and manage asset metadata across all sites.
• Semantic Model/Ontology: Developed a relational model representing equipment and spatial relationships, using Switch’s Ontology tools. Documentation such as single line drawings, sequences of operation, and BIM inputs were used to validate a digital twin, detailing equipment relationships (e.g., parent/child, feeds/is-fed-by) and spatial mappings.
• Advanced Analytics: Leveraged Switch’s Global Analytics Library (GAL) of 400+ pre-built modules for diagnostics, covering:
  • Commissioning: Data (DCx), equipment, retro-commissioning, monitor-based commissioning (MBCx), and continuous commissioning (CCx)
  • Fault Detection Diagnostics (FDD): For equipment, zones, energy, maintenance, and comfort
  • Compliance: ASHRAE Guideline 36, RESET Air standards Switch’s analytics tools allowed the operator’s Building Operations Center (BOC) to monitor and adjust operations across all sites, including equipment types, zones, and multi-site levels.
• Automated Control Sequencing: Emphasis on energy savings led to a focus on ASHRAE Guideline 36-based Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) including economization, scheduling, and temperature setbacks. Switch’s automated control sequencer monitored and implemented changes for improved efficiency, with alerts and reporting for tracking and verifying impact.

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Problem Identification and Resolution

Switch’s tools identified and prioritized various issues, including incorrect settings, unintended overrides, failing sensors, and incorrect schedules. Automated controls based on ASHRAE 36 ensured efficient settings and eliminated anomalies, leveraging data insights to correct issues before they affected occupant comfort or energy use.

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The Results

Through real-time monitoring, the platform’s analytics, and automated controls, the customer achieved significant savings, enhanced occupant comfort, and operational efficiency.

Measured Impact:

• CO2 reduction approx.: 1.200 tons
• Electricity savings: +2.5M kWh
• Cost savings: +$300k

Measurement and Validation

Using real-time and historical data within the Switch platform, the team tracked key metrics such as energy use, equipment runtime, out-of-hours operation, and compliance with operational goals. Integration with the client’s CAFM system for issue tracking and verification is in progress, further streamlining the maintenance process.

Measurement and Validation

Local BMS providers and contractors, alongside landlords and connectivity providers, were engaged for project support, ensuring seamless integration and continued operations.

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