High-level optimization performs the calculations to optimize load levels across multiple plants that serve an entire campus loop system. High-level optimization distributes the campus load to meet the most efficient load profiles to reduce the energy consumption based on current and future utility rates.
The OpenBlue Plant Optimizer model contains power and water use models for each subplant. Subplants are a group of similar equipment such as, constant speed chillers, variable speed chillers, waterside economizers.
High-level optimization allocates campus loads such as chilled water, hot water, and electricity, steam, to groups of primary cooling, heating, or power generation equipment known as subplants. The allocation of campus loads to subplants minimizes the utility costs such as electricity or natural gas. The cost-optimal load allocations use subplant efficiency models, utility rate structures, weather predictions, and load predictions to determine current conditions and future conditions over a seven-day horizon.