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Frequently Asked Questions

General​

What is Smart Cool Tech?​

Smart Cool Tech is an AI-powered chiller plant optimization platform that uses Bayesian Neural Networks, XGBoost forecasting, and Dynamic Programming to reduce energy consumption by 10%+ while maintaining optimal cooling performance.

How much does it cost?​

Pricing depends on:

  • Building size
  • Number of chillers
  • Deployment complexity

Contact us for a customized quote: [email protected]

What is the ROI period?​

Typical ROI is 6-12 months based on 10% energy savings.

Technical​

Do I need to upgrade my equipment?​

No. Smart Cool Tech is a pure software solution that works with your existing chillers, BMS, and sensors. No hardware upgrades required.

What if I don't have 1 year of historical data?​

Minimum 6 months may be acceptable, but model accuracy will be reduced. We can supplement with:

  • Simulated data
  • Data from similar buildings
  • Physics-based models initially

How accurate are the predictions?​

  • Load Forecasting: < 10% MAPE
  • COP Prediction: < 8% RMSE
  • Energy Savings: 10%+ validated in real deployments

What happens if the model makes a wrong prediction?​

Multiple safety mechanisms:

  1. Uncertainty quantification - BNN provides confidence intervals
  2. Physics-based fallback - Automatic switch when uncertainty is high
  3. CHWS monitoring - Immediate correction if temperature violations occur
  4. Human override - Operators can always override recommendations

Deployment​

How long does deployment take?​

< 1 week from start to operation:

  • Day 1-2: System survey and data collection
  • Day 3-4: Model training
  • Day 5-7: Integration, testing, and operator training

Do you need on-site access?​

No physical access required for deployment:

  • All work done remotely via API
  • On-site visit optional for initial survey
  • Training can be conducted online

Can you work with my existing BMS?​

Yes! Smart Cool Tech supports:

  • REST API
  • BACnet/IP
  • Modbus TCP
  • OPC-UA
  • Most modern BMS systems

What if my building has different water types?​

Smart Cool Tech handles:

  • Freshwater-cooled chillers
  • Seawater-cooled chillers
  • Mixed plants with both types

Operation​

How much operator involvement is needed?​

Minimal. After deployment:

  • System runs autonomously 24/7
  • Dashboard provides recommendations
  • Operators review and implement (< 5 min/day)
  • Alerts sent only when intervention needed

Can operators override the system?​

Yes, always. Operators have full control:

  • Can ignore recommendations
  • Can manually start/stop chillers
  • System adapts to actual operations
  • Feedback loop improves future recommendations

What if a chiller needs maintenance?​

Simply mark the chiller as unavailable in the system. Smart Cool Tech will:

  • Automatically exclude it from optimization
  • Rebalance load across remaining chillers
  • Maintain optimal efficiency with available equipment

Performance​

How do you measure energy savings?​

Rigorous baseline comparison:

  1. Establish baseline consumption before deployment
  2. Measure actual consumption after deployment
  3. Normalize for weather, occupancy, and operating hours
  4. Calculate savings with statistical confidence intervals

What if savings are less than expected?​

Performance guarantee options available:

  • Pay-for-performance - Only pay if target savings achieved
  • Money-back guarantee - Full refund if < 5% savings
  • Continuous optimization - Ongoing tuning to improve performance

Can I see results before full deployment?​

Yes! Pilot deployment option:

  • Deploy on 1-2 chillers first
  • Validate performance over 1-3 months
  • Scale to full plant if satisfied

Data & Privacy​

What data do you collect?​

Only operational data:

  • Chiller on/off status
  • Cooling loads and power consumption
  • Temperatures and flow rates
  • Weather data

We do NOT collect:

  • Personal information
  • Occupant data
  • Business-sensitive information

Where is data stored?​

Options:

  • Cloud - Secure servers at HKUST
  • On-premise - Your own servers (Enterprise plan)
  • Hybrid - Local processing with cloud backup

Who has access to my data?​

  • Your team - Full access via dashboard
  • HKUST team - Read-only for support and model training
  • No third parties - Data is never shared

Support​

What support is included?​

Standard support:

  • Email response within 24 hours
  • Monthly performance reports
  • Quarterly model updates
  • Bug fixes and security patches

Premium support (optional):

  • 24/7 hotline
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Custom feature development
  • On-site visits

Can you help with operator training?​

Yes! Training included:

  • Online training sessions
  • User documentation
  • Video tutorials
  • Ongoing support

Still have questions?​

📧 Email: [email protected]
⏰ Response: 1-2 business days
🌐 Website: Dashboard

We're happy to answer any questions about Smart Cool Tech!