Dive Brief:
- BrainBox AI is bringing its autonomous decarbonization technology to Trane’s Tracer SC+ cloud-based building automation system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs for Trane customers, the companies said.
- The partnership will focus on existing HVAC systems for multi-site retailers across North America, and follows BrainBox AI’s acquisition of ABB’s multi-site retail energy management system business in May.
- The companies say the effort will factor in weather forecasts, control schedules and occupancy patterns to send real-time control commands to their HVAC systems.
Dive Insight:
BrainBox AI says that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are responsible for a large portion of building energy consumption, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimating that HVAC systems contribute 35% of total energy usage. The two companies' joint efforts will help address this void.
The collaboration with BrainBox AI will enable Trane to combine its advanced building controls and HVAC systems with autonomous decarbonization technology, the Sept. 13 release stated.
Frank Sullivan, chief commercial officer at BrainBox AI, said in the release that combining autonomous decarbonizing technology with Trane’s advanced building controls and HVAC systems will help customers “drastically reduce their carbon footprint and meet business goals.”
“HVAC systems are one of the biggest contributors to total energy usage in commercial buildings. Together with Trane, we can further equip buildings around the world with the right tools to improve energy efficiency,” Sullivan said.
BrainBox AI says the solution will send commands to HVAC systems based on AI predictions on each zone’s thermal behavior, which integrate building data and weather patterns, to ensure heating and cooling equipment runs only when necessary.
The partnership will focus on providing customers with optimization solutions for existing HVAC systems for multi-site retailers across North America, according to the release.
BrainBox AI raised $20 million earlier in May, including $10 million from the Government of Québec and additional capital from electrification and automation firm ABB. At the time, BrainBoxAI also acquired ABB’s multi-site retail energy management system business, including a New Hampshire-based team and 12,000 retail locations.
