The Solution

Carrier Abound offered a comprehensive solution based on its unique 3 Waves Approach. On discovering immense savings potential during the initial assessment, we initiated changes in store controls almost immediately. In line with the 3 Waves Approach, we implemented controls optimization and delivered significant savings in the first year in Wave 1 – even with limited energy infrastructure-related data. In Wave 2, our analytics platform was integrated and deviations were continuously detected and rectified, and more savings were delivered through short-range analytics.

Wave 3 involved long-range analytics on richer data that helped maximize the effectiveness of the deployed saving strategies. Chronic issues pertaining to performance and efficiency of equipment were also addressed in this Wave.

Carrier Abound integrated the Abound™ Insights platform covering the entire store network. The platform’s actionable insights enabled proactive service management. During the course of the engagement, the self-learning platform became increasingly accurate in its predictions and uncovered more opportunities to optimize operations.

We deployed our BluEdge™ Command Centers, with a 24/7 technical service desk, and provided highly responsive remote resolution support. This helped reduce the maintenance costs associated with store support dispatch. Service management was given a more structured setup across the retailer’s vendors for superior service delivery. Our command centers ensured that the holiday schedule, critical for the retailer, experienced zero deviations. With a real-time monitoring dashboard, any issue with the store’s availability and comfort was proactively monitored. This offered centralized visibility at the highest levels in the organization.

Policies were standardized for store associates to achieve customer comfort across all stores. Our strategies enabled the retailer to focus better on service improvement. Based on equipment performance and sub-metering data, we offered recommendations to the retailer on how to minimize CAPEX and where to invest it. Demand response programs were introduced and executed flawlessly, generating additional savings for the retailer.

The Result

The retailer was able to accomplish – and in some cases exceed – its ambitious goals. For instance, it achieved the US Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge goals in 2014, six years ahead of schedule. It has also been recognized by the CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) as an environmental leader on the Climate A List, which puts it among the top 5 percent of companies participating in the CDP’s climate change program. While retrofitting was avoided, the capital expenditure was limited through other means too – such as reducing equipment run hours of stores and deploying sub-metering across all stores using existing controls, to name a few. We also used skylight sensor data to create a logic for skylights, allowing us to control interior lighting. This contributed to the energy consumption reduction. We also helped the retailer deploy and analyze the impact from the demand response program.

Across the 5 years engagement:

• USD 71 million was realized through energy savings
• 13% average annual energy savings was achieved compared to the baseline year
• 98% service levels (SLA) maintained towards resolution of Emergency & Non-Emergency Work Orders

Download as PDF