GEA has launched GEA OptiPartner Blu-Red Energy, a digital software solution for heating and cooling systems.
The cloud-based web application containing intelligent algorithms performs real-time performance optimisation for compressors, chillers, heat pumps and entire cooling plants with clear, measurable savings and sustainability benefits such as a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and operational optimisation of the systems.
The cloud-based solution is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). GEA OptiPartner Blu-Red Energy continuously analyses the customer's plant and environmental data to send optimal setpoints to its plant control system.
This is made possible by combining GEA's extensive system knowledge with advanced data science and analytics.
Depending on the system configuration, energy savings of up to 20 per cent are possible. This means that the software investment can be amortised within one year or even less.
This makes GEA OptiPartner Blu-Red Energy a self-financing solution designed for rapid, measurable business success.
GEA OptiPartner Blu-Red Energy establishes a secure connection to the customer's plant via the GEA Cloud platform, using standard protocols such as Modbus over 4G or IoT networks.
This allows machine operation to be monitored and optimized in real time. This includes functions such as condensing pressure management, sequential machine control, refrigerant control and much more to cover a wider range of energy efficiency controls.
By combining real-time data from the customer's plant with GEA's industry-leading technical expertise, Blu-Red Energy ensures optimum system performance without the need for constant manual monitoring.
The powerful digital twins feature provides the ability to visualise the comparison between the optimal machine performance with Blu-Red Energy and without it.
Customers get a monthly reports containing comprehensive analysis of system energy efficiency, showing real-time energy savings in both kilowatt hours and local currency.
Once cloud connectivity is established, the solution can be up and running in less than a week, depending on the plant configuration.
To implement GEA OptiPartner Blu-Red Energy, the customer needs a GEA Omni- panel on their machine and a connection to the GEA Cloud via Modbus and 4G/IoT. Blu-Red Energy is currently commercially available for installation types: chillers with air-cooled and evaporative condensers, as well as complete installations with Omni system panels.
The remaining installation types are on the development roadmap.
GEA OptiPartner Blu-Red Energy has already demonstrated measurable benefits in a pilot project with the Dutch biscuit manufacturer Verkade, part of Pladis.
By connecting GEA’s AI- and ML-based solution to Verkade’s ammonia installation, the system achieved annual energy savings of 33,000 kwh in 10 months since October 2024. In addition, the solution enabled the customer to generate transparent monthly reports showing both energy savings and CO₂ reductions.
Based on direct feedback from Verkade’s engineering team, GEA also further optimised the user dashboard, ensuring that customers can easily access the most relevant data for their operations.