Rate My Professor Reuben Henderson

Henderson was a key team member in the University of Otago's Energy Analytics programme, recognised as the supreme winner and recipient of the Excellence in Technology Innovation Award at the Tertiary Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Excellence Awards held in Auckland in 2023. The programme integrates the Kaizen Fault Detection and Diagnostics System with CopperTree Analytics software, employing large-scale artificial intelligence to analyse data from approximately 100,000 controllers in building management systems (BMS). This enables real-time monitoring of heating, cooling, ventilation, and energy usage, pinpointing inefficiencies such as incorrect thermostat settings, manual overrides, mechanical faults, and excessive system cycling, particularly in water chilling operations.

Deployed initially across seven Dunedin campus buildings—Mellor Laboratories, Faculty of Dentistry, Information Services Building, Otago Business School, William James Building, St David II, and Lindo Ferguson Building—the system delivered a 15 per cent reduction in energy-related costs during its first year. With the university's total annual energy spend ranging from $22 to $25 million, these savings are significant, allowing the programme to recoup its investment within two years while covering ongoing fees. It has further reduced emissions and carbon footprint, curtailed reactive maintenance, and prevented disruptions through proactive interventions. A growing knowledge database, populated by staff insights like control tweaks for optimised performance, enhances its effectiveness. As the first New Zealand university to adopt this technology, Otago exemplifies innovative energy management, with expansion underway to Te Rangihīroa College, Plaza Building, and Eccles Building.