When you think about tackling climate change, buildings might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But they should be. Both construction and their ongoing operations account for almost a third of the energy we consume.
From older, inefficient properties to modern construction, the possibilities are huge. In a joint study we evaluated the direct, indirect, and long-term effects of integrating Edge, an AI steering solution to reduce buildings' emissions. A project we've chosen to call "The buildings behind the data".
What's "The buildings behind the data" project?
Partnering with Ericsson and The Carbon Trust, we've gathered anonymized data from 356 buildings to measure just how effective implementing an AI steering tool – specifically Edge – can be in optimizing buildings.
Ericsson provides the 5G-powered infrastructure that makes reliable data transmission possible, while Edge, our software for energy management, uses AI to fine-tune how energy is used in buildings.
The study evaluated the impact on buildings in Finland and Sweden over 12 months, covering a total space of 1,5 million m².
The result: a net-positive impact
This project dug deep into the impact of Edge AI. The study was performed by The Carbon Trust using the ITU-T L.1480 standard and is one of the first to do so.
Fact:
The study showed that integrating Edge created a net-positive impact. The biggest wins came from older buildings without recent energy upgrades. These properties showed the most improvement because our AI could fix inefficiencies right away.
Fact:
Here is a summary of the results:
- Average energy savings: 7%, mainly through smarter heating.
- Energy saved: 17,3 million kWh.
- Carbon avoided: Around 1 kilotonne (kT) of CO₂ emissions.
- Effectiveness: These solutions aren't just effective; they're scalable. Scaling from 356 buildings to over 7,000 properties is already underway.
Want to dive even deeper into the nitty-gritty? See the full report here.
"This standardized approach allows us to evaluate both the negative and positive emission impacts of a given technology. It's important to factor in everything, from manufacturing to the system's operational benefits."
Success stories from the field – integrating Edge
Victoriahem hits environmental targets
Victoriahem, managing properties across Sweden, has embraced Edge to achieve its sustainability goals.
- By the end of 2024, Victoriahem had reduced purchased energy by 26% compared to 2015 levels, inching closer to their 30% reduction target by 2030.
- Edge allows for precise energy monitoring, helping operators make informed decisions about retrofitting and other efficiency measures. It's also being used to collect data for several areas of CSRD reporting.
Jyväskylä on track for carbon neutrality
Jyväskylä Rental Apartments (JVA) in Finland is working toward the city’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, through Edge's AI steering.
- 150 buildings under JVA's management are now equipped with Edge, reducing specific energy consumption by 10% since 2016.
- The technology ensures real-time monitoring, remote management, and quicker reaction to inefficiencies. This has reduced emissions from district heating systems and lowered operational costs.
- JVA emphasizes using Edge for smarter decision-making – whether it’s choosing renovation projects or handling seasonal energy fluctuations.
What we can learn from this
Compared to the more traditional ways of reducing energy consumption in buildings, technology offers a quick, easy, and cost-effective way of reducing emissions.
"If we act fast to cut emissions and ramp up carbon removal, we still have a shot at counteracting the effects of surpassing the 1.5°C threshold. But timing is critical."
The key takeaway from this project is clear: we already have the tools to make a difference. What's needed now is the resolve and collective action to scale these solutions globally.
Case study:
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