The objective of this project was to determine ways to enhance the effectiveness and capabilities of existing systems currently used by the Department of Defense (DoD) for utility and facility applications by leveraging enterprise software through a commercial cloud service provider (CSP). With validated approaches to leverage commercially available enterprise facility-related software, DoD installations can make strategic decisions about procurement and implementation. This will enable DoD installations to improve the effectiveness of existing utility and facility systems, minimize energy usage/costs, improve operations and maintenance, and maintain security while minimizing the time and cost for data system maintenance.

Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. (Siemens) planned to provide a remotely hosted, cloud-based application that integrated and centralized energy and facility data from multiple sources into a convenient user interface that could be securely accessed from any location with an internet connection. Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) would be developed using predictive analytics that would alert facilities managers about maintenance issues before they affected building occupants, allowing repair parts to be procured, and the work scheduled, to minimize impact to operations. Siemens would also provide cybersecurity assessment for the solution based on the Risk Management Framework for DoD Information Technology.

The primary objectives were to:

• Enhance Effectiveness: Improve DoD’s utility and facility systems using enterprise software through a commercial CSP.
• Data Integration: Combine disparate data sources to enhance decision-making and real-time infrastructure monitoring.
• Performance Evaluation: Compare commercial CSP deployments with existing systems to assess performance, costs, and benefits.
• Best Practices: Influence maintenance best practices, energy monitoring, and cybersecurity guidelines.

The current product installation included various utility and facility-related data applications, allowing facilities management personnel to view, analyze, and control building systems through a building automation system and metering infrastructure. However, the existing systems, including FDD software, were not widespread and were inefficient when scaling across multiple DoD locations due to data disparity.

Enterprise utility data management applications, typically hosted on commercial cloud technology, offer data analytics and Internet of things platforms that integrate operational technology systems. These applications provide custom algorithms, reporting, and dashboard graphics for prioritized facility performance data. Despite the lack of Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program-certified applications, the principles of deploying such technology remain consistent for both DoD and non-DoD entities. This project aimed to evaluate these applications at a representative DoD installation, focusing on improving energy/water performance and resilience, with the final report detailing best practices, lessons learned, and economic performance.

The Cloud-Based Navigator technology would empower Navy strategic planners, capital budgeters, facility managers, logistical tacticians, and base commanders to design and operate more energy efficient and cost-effective systems of energy assets within single or cluster of buildings.

The demonstration facility, Boorda Hall, at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) required significant upgrades to the control system to support a data analytics solution on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. This led to a successfully executed engineering change proposal, but it did extend the project’s duration significantly and therefore reduced the scope of the cloud implementation to demonstrating the FDD solution: Navigator. The engineering change proposal was required because the Siemens approach would not meet current Navy cybersecurity and system design requirements. The primary requirements provided by the Navy after contract award were related to not being able to utilize a public CSP.

The HVAC analytics conducted at Boorda Hall, NSGL, from July 1 to August 1, 2024, identified six issues. The analysis revealed an average system uptime of 61% for the air handling units, indicating significant room for improvement. The identified issues, including leaking valves and failed sensors, contributed to poor performance and energy inefficiencies. The estimated annualized cost impact of these unresolved issues was approximately $29,840, highlighting the potential for substantial cost savings through targeted maintenance and system optimization.

Energy opportunities were identified, with specific recommendations for addressing faults, negative building pressure, and temperature control issues due to leaking valves and failed sensors. The results emphasize the need for corrective actions to improve system performance, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Under the approved engineering change order, the project continued to make progress on the technical implementation of the Siemens server, migrating panels to BACnet, and hardening of system hardware. There was an abrupt stand-down issued by Siemens on Sept 14^th, 2022, following the direction of the ESTCP Program Manager. This stand-down was prompted by delays in procurement and delivery of the Government-provided fiber network and switches, followed by the installation of the same. After extensive discussions with the project stakeholders, an approval of a provisional authority to operate was granted on April 30, 2024. Siemens was then able to begin the transfer of hardware to the new server and begin data collection. The system configuration and commissioning completed in June of 2024. At this point in the project the analytics could only be applied and analyzed for the month of July 2024. (Project Completion - 2025)