International. Johnson Controls has been recognized by independent analyst firm Frost & Sullivan with its 2022 Best Practices Customer Value Leadership Award. The assessment, which covers chiller systems in buildings in North America, pitted Johnson Controls against its global peers and praised the company's technology and customer service.
Vijay Sankaran, Chief Technology Officer at Johnson Controls, commented: "By installing connected chillers or adding connectivity to existing equipment, we can optimise the operation of a system, reducing failures and decreasing a building's total energy consumption to achieve significant advances in its CO2e footprint. The chiller product is key in itself, but so is the connected digital solution; in particular, the AI-enabled predictive and remote diagnostic capabilities offered by our OpenBlue platform."
OpenBlue Services for Chillers leverages real-time data extracted from more than 200 data collection points on each computer. For example, monitoring the temperature at which a cooler is operating. The data collected is compared to a model of a 'perfect cooler', a model created from Johnson Controls' own statistical data compiled over more than 20 years. In the case of temperature control, an alert is generated if the system readings deviate only half a degree from the expected range. This type of knowledge allows OpenBlue's chiller experts to identify and treat potentially critical system problems before they can cause a failure. Services are offered for Johnson Controls equipment and products supplied by third parties.
Evidence of success
A Johnson Controls hospital customer with an implementation of 100 connected chillers has seen operational and energy savings of more than $200,000 in just three months after deployment. All chillers are constantly monitored and equipment performance is compared to a performance index score.
If a problem is detected, any at-risk computers are assigned for deeper root cause analysis. This level of real-time detection work has identified multiple faults and electrical surges before they can damage critical components such as motors and compressors. This has prevented safety shutdowns, costly repairs, and the disruption and high power use of a failing system or part.
Mechanical issues, overridden building management system controls, and improper preventive maintenance are common risks that a Connected Cooling System enabled by Johnson Controls OpenBlue helps overcome. More broadly, Johnson Controls' areas of leadership and performance in chillers identified by Frost & Sullivan include:
- Operational efficiency and potential to reduce cooling system downtime by up to 50%
- Value of price/performance with Johnson Controls offering service contracts that allow customers to move from initial CAPEX investment to OPEX pay-as-you-go models
- JCI's focus on energy saving and sustainability
- Customer service and adaptation based on a continuous cycle of customer feedback
- Improve customer experience/skills through continuous innovation
Services and Security
Johnson Controls OpenBlue Services for Chillers offers continuous optimization capabilities, such as remote diagnostics and analysis, and preventive maintenance. By offering chiller energy monitoring or real-time 'as-a-service' control optimization, customers can meet their sustainability goals faster by reducing energy operating costs.
Digitally enabling and managing a cooling system with Johnson Controls OpenBlue Services minimizes energy waste, which can reach 30% in unmanaged refrigeration plants. There's also an increased ability to manage HVAC assets in real time, maintaining and increasing equipment uptime.
