Importance of AI in the Utility and Facility Management Industries
Abstract:
The world’s appetite for energy continues to grow with estimates of a 60% increase above current demands by 2050. Driven by governments’ push toward electrification, the transition to renewable energy must accelerate to have any hope in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) in line with global decarbonization goals. This transition will require an evolution in the electrical utility industry, requiring management of many more distributed energy assets (DER), involving variable generation and storage. Concurrently, with buildings and facilities accounting for approximately 40% of energy consumption, concerted efforts will be required to reduce demand and increase efficiency. Enter artificial intelligence (AI) and its ability to collect, collate, and analyze massive amounts of data. The panel will discuss the various ways AI is being employed to assist utilities and facility managers to improve grid performance and ensure optimum performance of facility systems.
Learning Objectives:
- How AI is being employed in the utility industry to help manage DER assets and increase resiliency and security.
- The various ways AI can assist facility managers in monitoring and analyzing the multitude of data available from IoT devices and various sensors through ongoing / monitoring-based Cx, incorporating fault detection and diagnostics (FDD).
- Available offerings of AI systems and their associated application and features
- Recommendations for implementation of AI and the associated requirements regarding upskilling (training and management by FM staff).
Sponsored by: Siemens
Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions, and services from point-of-power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. With around 70,000 employees worldwide, Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and its U.S. corporate headquarters in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA.
Speakers
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Jim MageeCxA, EMP, LEED AP, MACx ConsultingJim is Executive Director of MACx Consulting, LLC in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, a consultancy founded in 2024 solely dedicated to developing and executing practical building systems commissioning processes. A graduate of Fort Knox High School, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky in Mechanical Engineering. He had 17-years of HVAC Test and Balance experience as an Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) certified Test and Balance Engineer (TBE) prior to 24-years of commissioning practice as an ACG certified Commissioning Authority (CxA) and founder of Kentucky’s first independent third-party building systems commissioning company, Facility Commissioning Group (FCG), serving as CEO and senior project manager for a 423-project career portfolio, transitioning to Principal in 2020. FCG successfully commissioned over 800 projects during Jim’s tenure.
Jim is a founder and Past President of AABC Commissioning Group (ACG), a charter Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA), and chair of the ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline Committee. Jim is Treasurer of the Southeast Region Building Commissioning Association (SERBCA) and member #20 of the Building Commissioning Association (BCA). Jim is a voting member of ASHRAE SSPC 300 – Commissioning, and chairs GPC 1.6P Commissioning for Data Centers subcommittee.
He is certified by USGBC as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Jim is a member of ASTM, NFPA, ASME and the Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers (KSHE).
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Kevin ScarboroughP.E., CEM, LEED AP, Siemens -
Robert J. KnoedlerP.E. CxA EMPRobert Knoedler is an executive consultant and vice president at Hanson Professional Services and past president of the Energy Management Association (EMA). He has spent over 40 years as a consultant in mechanical/electrical facility design, commissioning, and energy management. Bob has presented to numerous private and governmental organizations and has published a number of articles related to energy management and commissioning.
