Building Optimisation Software Using AI and Digital Twins

Digital solutions to reduce the energy and carbon associated with building operations.

Climate Change Mitigation Advancing Net Zero

Problem Addressed

UKGBC’s Whole Life Carbon Roadmap targets a 29% reduction in the average non-domestic building energy intensity by 2030, with a further 20% reduction by 2040. Alongside a mix of strategies for reducing these emissions, the roadmap sees building operational optimisation as a vital step since direct and indirect building operation emissions amounted to 3.7 GtCO2e in 2022 according to the IEA. However, nearly 90% of non-domestic buildings don’t have Building Management Systems (BMS) and therefore are not monitored or managed effectively.

Solution Overview

Optimise AI provides an intuitive and powerful software solution to this problem. Using virtualised BMS technology, it was developed to optimise the energy and utility usage of buildings without the need of costly and often inefficient BMSs. Optimise AI utilises 2 core methodologies. The entry level product for the 90% of buildings that don’t have a BMS. They couple a building’s historic and live meter data with large global building data sets and uses AI (in a similar manner to ChatGPT) to provide actionable insights to reduce energy and carbon emissions. For buildings that have a BMS and or a BIM model, Optimise-AI create a Digital Twin to simulate, optimise, and actuate energy reduction. The technology uses innovative graphic representation and an immersive 3D viewer to make it easy to visualise different scenarios and can incorporate a wide range of variables including structural components, internal environments, electricity, water, gas, and much more. This solution aims to reduce consumption of various utilities by up to 40% and can improve the efficiency, comfort, health, and safety of buildings.

Company name

Optimise AI

UK availability

Yes

Date added

Nov, 2023

Case Study

The Santa Maria de Lamas pilot implemented Optimise AI’s building optimisation solution to reduce their heating and energy consumption. The project included two indoor pools along with two gyms. The software optimised the supplied thermal energy and fan electricity consumption to achieve the optimal indoor thermal conditions while minimising the energy used for the air treatment. Additionally, Optimise AI monitored and optimised water heating and electric energy for indoor and outdoor lighting.

The following savings and reductions were achieved:

Electrical energy savings of 30%
Thermal energy savings of 42%
Electrical CO2 reduction of 24%
Thermal CO2 reduction of 34%

40 % savings

This page presents data, evidence, and solutions that are provided by our partners and members and should therefore not be attributed to UKGBC. While we showcase these solutions for inspiration, to build consensus, and create momentum for climate action, UKGBC does not offer commercial endorsement of individual solutions. If you would like to quote something from this page, or more information, please contact our Communications team at media@ukgbc.org.