What we do

The research group's efforts have been fundamental in allowing Georgia Tech to meet its objectives for energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as establishing itself as a leader in sustainable campus design and operation by developing and applying advanced data analytics and modeling techniques.

By leveraging these tools, the group has gained valuable insights into the campus's energy usage patterns, identified inefficiencies and waste, and proposed strategies to optimize energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort.

One of the most significant contributions of the research group has been the development of the GT Building Unified Datahub (GT BUD), which serves as the core platform for the campus's energy infrastructure data system. The group has played a crucial role in architecting GT BUD and authoring its standards, which has enabled the integration of various data sources and systems.

The group has also been working on developing and deploying sensors, IoT devices, and other monitoring tools to collect and analyze data on the performance of various energy systems.

In addition to improving the efficiency of existing energy systems, the research group has been exploring sustainable infrastructure upgrade strategies that can reduce the campus's environmental footprint and enhance its resilience to climate change. These strategies include the adoption of renewable energy sources, the implementation of energy storage systems, campus electrification and the development of grid-interactive efficient building (GEB) technologies.

Overall, the group is paving the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for GT and beyond.

Mission

The team's mission is to:

• Develop and demonstrate digital twin capabilities, energy flexibility, and electrification at a scale feasible and impactful in various real-world scenarios
• Apply cutting-edge tools and techniques to solve real challenges
• Educate the future workforce and lead the transition towards sustainable and energy-efficient solutions

Focus Research Areas

Consists of three interrelated sub-teams:

• Modeling, Simulation and Digital Twins (MS&D)
  • Scope: equipment / building / plant / network / district / urban area / state / region
  • Tools: Multi-domain modeling language for cyber-physical systems (Modelica), Building Energy Models at multiple levels of detail.
• Data Engineering & Science (DE&S)
  • Data schemas, architectures, and platforms
  • ML/AI for data ingestion and imputation
  • Data-driven modeling, leveraging all of the above
• Living Learning Laboratory (LLL)
  • Benchmarking and implementation of energy flexibility
  • Use real hardware, buildings, and campus as a testbed
  • Creation and deployment of remote sensors (“IoT”)

People

Projects

Get Involved

As the nation pursues a more sustainable future and GT aims to modernize its infrastructure as well as to demonstrate new technologies and educate GT students, the team is constantly evolving. Please contact us regarding your interest in these positions, which may have openings throughout the year:

• I&S Interns
• Student Assistants
• Undergraduate Researchers (for course credit)
  • AE 2699
  • AE 4699
• Graduate Research Assistantships (for a few select candidates)
• Postdoctoral researchers

Contact us!

(MS Forms Link)
(Google Forms link. Non-GT personnel)

Publications

• Aziz, I., Mungroo, A., Kim, H. W., Solano, H., & Lewe, J.-H., "Leveraging Convexity As a Precursor to Energy or Operational Faults in HVAC Systems", 2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference (2025).
• Aziz, I., Mungroo, A., Kim, H. W., Solano, H., & Lewe, J.-H., "Transitioning District Energy Systems: Integrating Sustainable Solutions for Efficient Heating", 2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference (2025).
• Choi, W.H. & Lewe, J.-H., "Advancing Fault Detection in Building Automation Systems through Deep Learning", Buildings. 2024.
• Kim, H. W., Lewe, J.-H., Mungroo, A "From Data Lake to Digital Twin: A Data Management Framework for BEM and BAS Interoperable Buildings" 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference (2024).
• Mungroo, A. & Lewe, J.-H., "Fatigue-sensitive feature extraction, failure prediction and reliability-based design optimization of the hyperloop tube", Journal of Infrastructure Intelligence and Resilience. 2(3), 2023.
• Lewe, J.-H., Coleman, J., Kim H.W., Hong, S. & Jung, Y.J., "A data-driven agent-based modeling for energy demand estimation considering socioeconomic events: a case study of Georgia in the U.S.", Science and Technology for the Built Environment. (submitted)
• Hong, S., Yang, E., Castro, D., Ashuri, B., Zhang, X. Facility maintenance data integration and performance analysis through machine learning-based text classification applications. Engineering, Construction, and Architectural Management (submitted)
• AIAA Digital Engineering Integration Committee (18 authors and Lewe, J.-H.), Digital Twin: Reference Model, Realizations & Recommendations, AIAA, AIA, and NAFEMS Implementation Paper, January 26, 2023.
• Hong, S., Kim, J., & Yang, E. Automated Text Classification of Maintenance Data of Higher Education Buildings using Text Mining and Machine Learning Methods. Journal of Architectural Engineering (ASCE), 28(1), 2022
• Brooks, J., Lewe, J.-H., Duncan, S. & Mavris, D., "Improving the predeveloped local ecology: maximizing condensate collection through strategic building operation", Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, 2022.
• Lewe, J.-H., Oh, S., Efe, Y., Kim, H., Brooks, J., Duncan, S., Hong, S., Jung, Y., Koti, R., Operating and Certifying a Net Positive Energy Building During a Pandemic. 2022 Building Performance Analysis Conference and SimBuild Conference Proceedings. 2022.
• T. Charan, R. Meyer, J.-H. Lewe, K. Woldekidan, S. Duncan, Calibration of Building Energy Model to Determine Load Flexibility Potential, 2022 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. 2022.
• O.J. Pinon Fischer, J.F. Matlik, W.D. Schindel, M.O. French, M.H. Kabir, J.S. Ganguli, M. Hardwick, S.M. Arnold, A.D. Byar, J.-H. Lewe, S. Mahadevan, S. Duncan, J. J. Dong, D. A. Kinard, A. Maiaru, Digital Twin: Reference Model, Realizations and Recommendations, INCOSE INSIGHT Magazine, 2022.
• Meyer, R., Bridgeland, B., Woldekidan, K., Webster, B., Charan, T., Lewe, J.-H., Olgyay, V. & Zaleski, S. 2021. GT Flex: A Coordinated MultiBuilding Pilot Study. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP5500-80279.
• Brooks, J., Lewe, J.-H., et al. "Cistern Thermal Energy Storage Study for Potential Use within Net Positive Energy and Water Buildings" AIAA 2021-3363.
• Sharma, K. & Lewe, J.-H. "Ranking Volatility in Building Energy Consumption Using Ensemble Learning and Information Entropy," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 74, No. 3, Article 1.
• S. Oh, J.-H. Lewe, E. Yarbasi, J. Brooks, S. Duncan & D.N. Mavris, "A Scalable Intra-Network Building Heat Exchange Model for District Cooling Systems", AIAA P&E 2020.
• K. Song, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, Reenacting the History of the US Air Transportation Network Evolution. In 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, 2018.
• J. Lewe, S. Duncan, K. Song, S. Oh, H. Solano, E. Yarbasi, J. Ahuja, H. Johnston & D. Mavris, A Comprehensive Energy Monitoring Environment for District Energy Grid Systems. In 15th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2017.
• K. Song, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, Simulation Optimization for Historical Reenactment of the Air Transportation Network Evolution. In 18th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, 2017.
• J. Lewe, K. Song, & D. Mavris, An Exploration of Evolution Paths for Air Transportation Networks. In 30th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, 2016.
• J. Lewe, S. Oh, H. Solano & D. Mavris, A Building Thermal Demand Model for a District Energy System, In 14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2016.
• S. Wojnarska, J. Lewe, K. Song, S. Duncan, A Parametric Modeling of Water-to-air Heat Exchanger Based on CFD Analysis. In 14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2016.
• J. Lewe, L. Hivin & D. Mavris, A multi-paradigm approach to system dynamics modeling of intercity transportation, Transportation Research Part E, Vol. 71, 2014, pp. 188–202.
• J. Lewe, H. Pfaender, L. Hivin, L. Zhang & D. Mavris, Transportation System-of-Systems Simulator for Multimodal Demand and Emissions Forecasts, 14th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 2014.
• E. Estrada, J. Lewe & D. Mavris. Feasibility Focused Design of Electric On-demand Aircraft Concepts,14th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 2014.
• K. Song, J. Lewe & D. Mavris. A Multi-Tier Evolution Model of Air Transportation Networks, 14th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 2014.
• L. Hivin, J. Lewe, H. Pfaender & D. Mavris, Scenario Exploration for Sustainability of the Multimodal Intercity Transportation System, 14th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 2014.
• J. Lewe, M. Miller & K. Kelly, Agent-Based Modeling for Smart Grid: Consumer Reaction to Demand Response, 22th Annual INCOSE International Symposium, Rome, Italy, July 2012.
• J. Lewe, Y. Dong, L. Hivin & D. Mavris, Aviation Demand Forecasts through Validation of an Agent-Based Multimodal Transportation Model, 11th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference, Virginia Beach, VA, Sept. 2011.
• A. Lowe, H. Fu, J. Lewe, D. Mavris & S. Lee, Design Tradeoff for Regenerative Energy Management in an Electromechanical Actuation System, 11th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference, Virginia Beach, VA, Sept. 2011.
• H. Kwon, J. Lewe, D. Mavris et al., Conceptual Design of the Underground Tube Freight Transportation System, The 6th Conference of International Society on Underground Freight Transportation, Shanghai, China, Nov. 2010.
• J. Lewe, T. Laughlin & D. Mavris, Impacts of Design Characteristics on Market Demand of Vertical Takeoff and Landing Personal Air Vehicles, 10th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, Sep. 2010.
• J. Lewe, T. Unton, K. Meyer & D. Mavris, A Tradeoff Analysis of Future Small Aircraft Capacity from a Point-to-Point Operation Perspective, 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Orlando, FL, 2010.
• J. Lewe, K. Meyer, T. Unton & D. Mavris, Sensitivity Analysis of Consumer Preference for a Future Small Aircraft with Point-to-point Operations, 9th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference (ATIO) and Aircraft Noise and Emissions Reduction Symposium (ANERS), Hilton Head, SC, 2009.
• E. Yang, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, Demand-centric Analysis of the Air Transportation System, The 26th Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS), Anchorage, AK, 2008.
• H. Won, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, Advanced General Aviation Design with Transportation Architecture Analysis, The 26th Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS), AK, 2008.
• C. Lim, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, An Agent-Based Approach for Modeling the Commercial Air Transportation Network System, Air Transport Research Society World Conference, Berkley, CA, June 2007.
• J. Lewe, D. DeLaurentis, D. Mavris & D. Schrage, Entity-centric Abstraction and Modeling Framework for Transportation Architectures, Journal of Air Transportation, 11(3), 2006, pp. 3-33. (Received the Sorenson Best Paper Award)
• T. Kang, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, Uncertainty Dynamics and Economics Modeling of the Air Transportation Supply Chain, AIAA 6th Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Forum, Wichita, KS, Sep. 2006.
• C. Lim, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, An Agent-Based Modeling Approach for Transportation Network Systems, AIAA 6th Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Forum, Wichita, KS, Sep. 2006.
• J. Lewe, D. DeLaurentis & D. Mavris, Foundation for Study of Future Transportation Systems through Agent-Based Simulation, Proceedings of the 24th ICAS Congress, Yokohama, Japan, Aug.-Sep. 2004.
• H. Pfaender, Y. Lee, T. Choi, J. Lewe & D. Mavris, Multi-platform Integrated Development Aid System (MIDAS), 10th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Albany, NY, Aug. 2004.
• C. Lim, J. Lewe, D. DeLaurentis & D. Mavris, A Methodology for Assessing Business Models of Future Air Transportation in the Atlanta Regional Transportation System, AIAA 4th Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Forum, Chicago, IL, Sep. 2004.
• D. DeLaurentis, J. Lewe & D. Schrage, Abstraction and Modeling Hypothesis for Future Transportation Architectures, AIAA International Air and Space Symposium and Exposition: The Next 100 Years, Dayton, OH, July 2003. (Invited Paper)
• J. Lewe, M. Kirby, C. Raczynski & D. Mavris, Technology Portfolio Assessments Using a Gene-Correction Genetic Algorithm, AIAA's 3rd Annual Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Forum, Denver, CO, Nov. 2003.
• J. Lewe, E. Upton, D. Mavris & D. Schrage, An Agent-Based Framework for Evaluating Future Transportation Architectures, AIAA's 3rd Annual Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Forum, Denver, CO, Nov. 2003.
• J. Lewe, A Spotlight Search Method for Multi-criteria Optimization Problems, 9th Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Atlanta, GA, Sep. 2002.
• J. Lewe et al., Identification of Design Requirements Through Agent-based Simulation for Personal Air Vehicle System, AIAA's Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations 2002 Technical Forum, Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 2002.
• J. Lewe et al. Agent-based Forecasting Tool for NASA’s SATS Program, NASA/FAA competition, 2002. (Earned 2nd place of NASA/FAA University Student Design Competition)
• R. Alexander, M. Kirtas, J. McIntire, R. Bechtel, J. Lewe et al., Moon-based Advanced Reusable Transportation Architecture, Proceedings of the Third Annual HEDS-UP Forum, 2000, pp. 206-224. (Graduate student design competition report)