Yimin Chen

Dr. Yimin Chen is a research staff member in the Building Equipment Research Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His current role includes the development of high-performance equipment technologies, fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), high-fidelity equipment simulation model, measurement and verification (M&V), as well as advanced equipment control techniques.   

Before joining ORNL, Dr. Chen served as an Energy Technology Researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory from 2019 to 2024. At LBNL, he led and contributed to a wide range of research initiatives, including the construction of the world’s largest HVAC system fault dataset, the development of self-correcting algorithms, advancements in smart thermostat control technologies, M&V, and analytics on HVAC system fault prevalence. Dr. Chen earned his Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering at Drexel University in 2019. From 2002 to 2015, he was a faculty member at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, while also working concurrently as an R&D engineer in China Academy of Building Research and in Beijing Zhuxuntong Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Consultant Co., Ltd

Dr. Chen’s research interests focus on advanced building equipment, large-scale building operation data analytics, and the application of machine learning and AI methods to optimal control and operation and maintenance (O&M) in smart buildings. His work also encompasses building-to-grid, model predictive control, and the application of fieldbus and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in building systems. 

Dr. Chen’s published over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers. He is the holder of three patents and two software disclosures. He has contributed to several book chapters. He is a Full Member of ASHRAE and a Senior Member of IEEE.