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OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization

OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization (CUPO) is software for managing energy use in plants that produce cooling, heating, or electricity for campuses a…

Place
#13 of 25
Score
6.0
OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization's website

What OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization is

OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization (CUPO) is software for managing energy use in plants that produce cooling, heating, or electricity for campuses and other sites. Its package combines Plant Optimizer and Plant Simulator. Using real-time information and predictive algorithms, Plant Optimizer selects equipment staging and setpoints, recalculating a seven-day dispatch forecast every 15 minutes. It can target utility costs, energy and water use, peak electric demand, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with utility imports. Operators can choose Auto mode for automatic dispatches or Advisory mode for recommendations without plant control. Plant Simulator compares plant configurations and operating scenarios, estimating energy and water use, utility costs, and emissions. The system communicates with automation equipment through BACnet, Modbus, LON, or OPC and can use third-party near real-time pricing data through an API integration managed with Johnson Controls’ help. Deployment options include on-premises installation, including a no-external-internet option, or cloud-connected applications through OpenBlue Bridge. Browser-based interfaces provide access over HTTPS. The underlying plant controls remain responsible for standard control logic, equipment protections, and alarms. Pricing is available on request; there is no free plan.

Good

  • Forecasts seven days ahead, recalculating every 15 minutes
  • Offers automatic and advisory operating modes
  • Compares scenarios for energy, water, cost, and emissions
  • Supports BACnet, Modbus, LON, and OPC

Watch out

  • No free plan is available
  • Pricing is provided on request
  • Plant automation controls must handle protections and alarms

Who it suits

CUPO is designed for operators and engineers, building owners, and consulting engineers responsible for campus, company, or city utility plants. It suits facilities looking to manage plant costs, resource use, or emissions through optimization and scenario comparisons.

Verdict

CUPO pairs dispatch optimization with scenario modeling and offers both on-premises and cloud-connected deployment. Buyers should confirm how their plant controls and deployment needs fit, and request pricing from Johnson Controls.

Plans and prices

From OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
OpenBlue Central Utility Plant OptimizationPriced on requestPricing not stated; contact Johnson Controls

The facts

Each one read from OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimization's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Automated optimization
Plant Optimizer uses predictive algorithms to select equipment staging and setpoints, and can integrate with any type of plant automation system.checked 7 Oct 2026
Deployment
Deployment options include on-premises Plant Optimizer, cloud applications connected through OpenBlue Bridge, and an on-premises no-internet option, with some possible weather-service connections.checked 8 Oct 2026
Deployment options
Plant Optimizer can run on-premises, including an option with no external internet connection, or in a cloud-connected architecture using OpenBlue Bridge.checked 7 Oct 2026
Equipment compatibility
CUPO supports a wide range of central plant configurations, equipment types, and most plant automation systems.checked 8 Oct 2026
Forecast horizon
Plant Optimizer recalculates a seven-day dispatch forecast every 15 minutes.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integration protocols
Plant Optimizer communicates with automation systems using BACnet, Modbus, LON, and OPC protocols.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integrations
Plant Optimizer communicates with plant automation systems using BACnet, Modbus, LON, or OPC protocols.checked 7 Oct 2026
Intended users
The product is presented for plant operators and engineers, as well as building owners and consulting engineers managing company, campus, or city utility plants.checked 8 Oct 2026
Operating modes
Plant Optimizer provides automatic control and an advisory mode that displays recommendations for operators to consider.checked 8 Oct 2026
Optimization
Plant Optimizer uses real-time data and predictive algorithms to choose equipment staging and setpoints for cost savings, emissions reductions, or both.checked 8 Oct 2026
Optimization horizon
Plant Optimizer recalculates a seven-day dispatch forecast every 15 minutes for cooling, heating, and power generation systems.checked 7 Oct 2026
Privacy
The Plant Optimizer privacy sheet says the application uses Microsoft Azure cloud hosting for listed user account data, with data center locations in the United States, Asia-Pacific, UAE, and Canada.checked 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
CUPO is a package of software applications that reduces energy use, carbon footprint, and operating cost in heating, cooling, and distributed electricity generation plants while maintaining reliability.checked 8 Oct 2026
Reliability boundary
Plant Optimizer sits above the plant automation system, whose underlying controls must provide standard control logic, equipment protections, and alarms.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security
CUPO describes HTTPS encrypted communications, security certificates, and an audit log recording who changed what and when, with an explanation required for changes.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
Plant Optimizer support is available by support request form, email at [email protected], or phone at +1-414-524-2397.checked 8 Oct 2026
User interface
Plant Optimizer and Plant Simulator use browser-based interfaces, and Plant Optimizer can be accessed from any browser over HTTPS.checked 8 Oct 2026
Utility pricing integration
Plant Optimizer can use third-party near real-time pricing data through an API integration, which Johnson Controls helps manage.checked 8 Oct 2026
Who it serves
The product is designed for central utility plants producing cooling, heating, or electricity for campuses and other sites.checked 7 Oct 2026

Money

Cost and emissions
The system can optimize utility costs, energy and water use, peak electric demand, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with utility imports.checked 7 Oct 2026
Plant Simulator
Plant Simulator models plant designs and operating scenarios to estimate hourly energy use, water use, utility cost, and emissions over a year.checked 8 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
1885checked 28 Sep 2026
Headquarters
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Included applications
The CUPO package consists of Plant Optimizer and Plant Simulator.checked 7 Oct 2026

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