Webinar

Chiller Plant Modernization: Building a Foundation for AI Optimization

Join experts from Trane and Brainbox AI to explore why chiller plant modernization matters for engineers designing for both near-term performance and long-term value.

Quick Facts

Products: Controls and Automation
Topics: Smart Buildings • AI • Engineer & Architect
Services: Optimization

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, its influence on building systems is creating new possibilities for efficiency, intelligence, and long-term performance. Across the built environment, organizations are looking beyond isolated upgrades toward smarter, more connected infrastructure that can adapt in real time and drive stronger operational and sustainability outcomes. Chiller plants are at the center of this shift, where modernization efforts are not only improving system performance today, but also creating the foundation needed to support the next generation of AI-enabled building operations.

Join experts from Trane® and Brainbox AI® to explore why chiller plant modernization matters for specifying engineers designing for both near-term performance and long-term value. We’ll discuss how a strong optimization foundation—built through modern controls, visibility, and system-level intelligence—improves efficiency today while preparing plants for AI-enabled capabilities tomorrow, and how Trane and Brainbox work together to support that evolution. Attendees will gain practical insight into how AI differs from traditional optimization, why that matters in specification decisions, and how forward-looking design choices can enhance flexibility, performance, and lifecycle value.

Learning Objectives:

Understand why chiller plant modernization starts with a strong optimization foundation built on controls, visibility, and system-level intelligence to support both current performance and future AI capabilities.
Learn how AI differs from traditional optimization approaches and why that distinction matters when designing plants for long-term efficiency, adaptability, and lifecycle value.
Explore the practical path from modernization to AI-enabled performance including the design choices and system strategies that help prepare plants for continuous improvement over time.
Gain insight into how integrated expertise and technologies can help support this journey from foundational optimization through more advanced AI-enabled outcomes.

Speakers

Brian Kirkman

System Controls Product Manager Trane Commercial

Brian Kirkman is a System Controls Product Manager for Trane Commercial HVAC Americas, based in White Bear Lake, MN, and has been with Trane for over 12 years. Prior to his current role, Brian held the role of System Applications Engineer and also worked directly in the field for Trane, supporting commercial HVAC turnkey and building automation system installations as a project manager and technical field group leader.

Brian has spent over 20 years in the building industry, primarily focusing on electrical, HVAC, and automation systems. Much of his recent work has been dedicated to system optimization, electrified HVAC systems, and emerging technologies. Additionally, Brian has been instrumental in providing innovative solutions for Trane, including patents in the areas of plant control and optimization.
Josh Mullen

Product Manager BrainBox AI

Josh Mullen is a product manager on the product and solutions team at BrainBox AI. He has 15 years of experience in various roles in the industry, all revolving around creating and quantifying energy, carbon, and cost savings for clients. Josh enjoys working on projects with complex systems, data driven analysis and troubleshooting, and controls optimization. He has experience working with office buildings, multi-site retail, hospitals, pharmaceutical and research laboratories, data centers, education, manufacturing, K-12, and municipal buildings.