“With aicore™, we are taking the intelligence of cooling systems to a whole new level”
A conversation about digitalisation, cloud technologies and the future of sustainable cooling and refrigeration technology
Interview with Jörg Köcher, CDO & Head of IoT Controls Solutions at Güntner.
What vision is Güntner pursuing in the field of IoT and digitalisation?
Jörg Köcher: It is our vision to make key contributions to the sustainability and efficiency of industrial cooling systems through digitalisation and IoT technologies – across the entire product life cycle: from manufacturing, through operation to “end of life” and return to the circular economy.
In ongoing operation, our focus is on maximum energy efficiency and high system availability. At the same time, systems are becoming more demanding due to the increasing complexity of components while qualified maintenance personnel are becoming scarcer and more expensive.
That is why we focus on intelligent, digital plug-and-play solutions that optimise themselves, ensuring both operational reliability and efficiency. This is particularly important in view of the continuing shortage of skilled workers.
Another key aspect of our vision is extending product life. Wherever possible, equipment should be repaired rather than scrapped.
This is precisely where our aicore™ concept comes into play: it enables data–driven analyses that not only support these processes, but actively safeguard them – a key step towards sustainable, future-proof cooling technology.
A central element in achieving this vision is the aicore™ concept, which already delivers and continuously develops data-based solutions via the aicore™ cloud platform.
What is behind the aicore™ brand and the aicore™ concept – and why is now the right time for its introduction?
J.K: The aicore™ concept represents a holistic solution – from the device level through to the cloud. It combines proven local control and regulation functions with state-of-the-art connectivity and intelligent cloud services.
This means our systems are not just connected but significantly more intelligent. The foundation for this is data-driven analysis using statistical methods and artificial intelligence.
We are currently in an exciting learning phase in which we are seeing first-hand the potential this approach offers. At the same time, AI and cloud technologies are now gaining broad acceptance in industrial environments – they have, so to speak, become “mainstream”.
Another important factor in the past was often the cost issue – especially with regard to connectivity. For a long time, costs were out of proportion to the expected benefits.
With Güntner’s “cloud-ready” aicore™ controllers, however, we have created a solution that is economically compelling: seamless integration of hardware, software and cloud services enables short payback periods and an economically viable entry into digital transformation.
What role do cloud computing, data analysis and AI play in the control and optimisation of systems with aicore™?
J.K: Cloud computing, data analysis and artificial intelligence play a central role in the control and optimisation of our systems with aicore™ – particularly when taking a holistic, long-term view.
These technologies enable us to monitor and optimise systems over extended periods – not only individually, but also across locations and within complete system networks.
It is crucial that we also include data sources that have so far been barely considered – for example, weather data and forecasts, individual controller settings, or combinations of different operating parameters.
Such information reaches its full potential only when analysed in context – considering interrelationships and long-term developments. It is no longer just short-term thresholds or alarm limits that matter, but the analysis of long-term trends: In which direction is the system developing? Where are gradual efficiency losses or signs of wear starting to emerge?
The cloud provides the computing power and scalability needed to turn large data volumes into concrete, actionable insights.
Another advantage lies in data exchange with component manufacturers – for example, for fans or pumps. Joint analysis gives manufacturers deeper insights into how their components perform in real operation – insights that we, as system operators, could not achieve in this depth.
This enables, for instance, assessments of remaining service life or recommendations on whether refurbishment would be worthwhile in the context of the circular economy.
All of this shows that the complexity of modern systems and the variety of available data go far beyond what humans alone can process.
The decisive question for me is therefore not whether we use cloud computing and AI – but how we use them to create maximum benefit for our customers, partners and the environment.
What solutions does aicore™ offer – and for which applications are they particularly suitable?
J.K: The aicore™ solutions can be viewed on two levels: the control and field level on the one hand, and the connectivity and cloud level on the other.
The control and field level forms the basis for safe systems operation. It is designed to guarantee the highest possible system availability and operational reliability, even independently of cloud services.
The higher-level connectivity and cloud layer, by contrast, enables highly efficient operation and is therefore a central component of the aicore™ concept.
This efficiency relates not only to energy and water consumption, but also to conserving material resources through extended component life – right up to targeted use in the circular economy and optimised deployment of skilled personnel.
On the control and field level, aicore™ offers modern controllers such as aicore™ air and aicore™ fusion for a wide range of applications throughout the entire annual or climate cycle.
In winter operation, for example, the systems provide precise control of bypass valves and air accumulation using the NCC function. During transitional periods, the LCMM function ensures energy-optimised operation in the lower part-load range.
In normal operation, demand-based air volume control for the heat exchanger is provided. And in peak load operation, for example on particularly hot days, water application in adiabatic cooling is precisely and optimally controlled – for instance, using HydroBLU™ or Spray systems. The optimal water application is calculated and regulated in each case to ensure resource-efficient cooling.
The controllers also enable extended functions such as free cooling and heat recovery. Higher-level control units such as the aicore™ master panel are available for coordinating multiple Güntner units. Integration into existing system environments is possible via established fieldbus protocols such as Modbus, Modbus IP, BACnet, Profibus or Profinet.
It’s on the connectivity and cloud level where the true added value is created – going far beyond conventional control systems.
The plug-and-play aicore™ link unit enables bidirectional data transfer to the aicore™ cloud, where it is analysed using statistical methods and artificial intelligence. This generates numerous concrete benefits: anomalies can be detected at an early stage, potential failures can be predicted, and energy efficiency can be specifically optimised.
In addition, clear, actionable recommendations are produced – either directly in the intuitive dashboard or via active notifications. Secure remote parameter setting is also possible via the cloud, which is a major advantage, especially for distributed systems and limited on-site capacity.
These services support our customers – particularly system builders – in maintaining high service levels despite the shortage of skilled workers, while guaranteeing the end customer safe and efficient operation.
aicore™ is used in a wide variety of industries and is suitable for all markets – whether in data centre cooling, HVAC applications or traditional refrigeration technology. All benefit from forward-looking technologies and the intelligent combination of control and data analysis.
In what way are aicore™ products different from previous control solutions on the market?
J.K: aicore™ products differ significantly from conventional control systems thanks to their integrated, plug-and-play-capable ecosystem from the sensor to the cloud.
This enables the intelligent combination of classic control functions with the expanded possibilities of cloud technology – with a depth and level of integration not previously achieved.
While many systems on the market restrict themselves to minimal operating data and simply pass this to a higher-level monitoring system, aicore™ goes much further.
It processes large datasets from diverse sources, over long time periods and across sites. These data are processed locally via modern controllers that also act as edge devices.
This creates comprehensive digital twins of the devices – including sensor values, actuator states, calculated performance indicators and control parameters.
This structured, contextual data forms the basis for precise analysis, enabling a new quality of monitoring, optimisation and predictive maintenance for complex cooling systems.
In this way, aicore™ cloud-ready controllers offer not only classic control functions but also a new level of system intelligence.
How is aicore™ integrated into existing systems?
J.K: Integration also takes place on two levels: the control and field level, and the connectivity and cloud level.
On the control and field level, integration is highly flexible thanks to a range of interfaces. The system supports standardised fieldbus protocols such as Modbus, Modbus IP, BACnet, Profibus or Profinet and can alternatively be connected via analogue or digital signals.
Customisable operating modes and parameter settings allow for tailored interaction with existing system components. This means aicore™ can be integrated seamlessly into a wide variety of system architectures – regardless of manufacturer or system type.
On the connectivity and cloud level, modern standards such as REST APIs are available. These allow large volumes of data to be efficiently integrated into customer systems – whether for automating consumption reports or for incorporating CO₂ footprint data, which is becoming increasingly important.
In this way, aicore™ becomes a natural part of existing IT infrastructures, delivering valuable information for sustainable system operation.
What advantages does aicore™ offer decision-makers in cooling and refrigeration technology?
J.K: aicore™ offers a wide range of advantages that are particularly relevant to decision-makers in the planning, operation and servicing of cooling and refrigeration systems.
At its core are measurable improvements in efficiency, transparency and resource use.
Through intelligent control, continuous monitoring and data-based optimisation, high energy efficiency and maximum system availability are ensured.
At the same time, aicore™ provides complete cost transparency across the entire life cycle – from operating costs to maintenance requirements.
In terms of CO₂ emissions, the system also delivers clarity: relevant data is captured, visualised and made available for sustainability reports, ESG targets or regulatory compliance.
Furthermore, aicore™ helps ease the pressure on personnel resources by enabling digital maintenance strategies, automated condition monitoring and predictive servicing.
All of this enables complex systems to be operated safely and efficiently – even under increasing demands and with reduced staffing.
How does aicore™ contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability in practice?
J.K: aicore™ combines advanced control technology with data-driven intelligence to create a new dimension of energy efficiency.
By evaluating operational data, systems can be dynamically adapted to changing conditions such as weather, utilisation or load profiles. This not only saves energy but also extends the service life of individual components – directly contributing to resource conservation.
In addition, aicore™ delivers a significantly improved sustainability profile: CO₂ emissions are recorded, visualised and placed in the context of overall operations. This forms the basis for targeted emission reduction measures – making sustainable action both measurable and verifiable.
What are the next development steps for aicore™?
Our journey with aicore™ is far from over – on the contrary: the next steps are clearly focused on unlocking the full potential of cloud technology, data analysis and AI for real-world plant operation.
Central to this is the further development of intelligent algorithms that can generate concrete, generative recommendations for action. At the same time, deeper data insights will enable further gains in efficiency and operational reliability.
Another major future focus is closer networking with component manufacturers, so that systematic data exchange can provide reliable information on remaining service life or the recyclability of individual components.
The result will be an ecosystem that not only controls and regulates but actively anticipates.
What excites you personally about aicore™ and the transformation of the industry?
J.K: I am personally fascinated by the new opportunities that cloud technology – and AI in particular – are opening up, especially in a field that has long been defined by conventional control technology.
Today, we are solving challenges through data-driven approaches that we were unable to fully resolve using traditional methods for many years.
Forecasting is a particularly exciting area: through modelling and pattern recognition, we can detect developments early, minimise risks and realise efficiency gains that were once unimaginable.
We are in the midst of a fundamental transformation – and have only just begun.
With every step, we learn more and see the enormous potential in using data, analytics and AI intelligently. Being part of this journey, and helping to shape it, is for me one of the most exciting developments in our industry.
