As part of its ambition to make buildings smarter while improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, ABB has invested in Montreal-based start-up BrainBox AI.
Credit: Dmitriy Kuznietsov / Shutterstock
Launched in 2019, BrainBox has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions from Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial buildings.
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This strategic investment allows ABB’s Smart Buildings division to combine its existing portfolio of digital solutions, particularly the ABB Ability Building Ecosystem, with BrainBox AI’s predictive, self-adaptive and scalable cloud-based artificial intelligence.
HVAC systems account for most of the energy use and carbon footprint of a typical commercial building while buildings contribute 28% of total global energy-related CO2 emissions. Moreover, 45% of commercial buildings’ energy consumption comes from HVAC, of which 30% is usually wasted.
In addition to enabling up to 25% reductions in energy costs and 20–40% lower carbon emissions, BrainBox AI’s deep learning software increases occupant comfort and extends the service life of HVAC equipment – all without upfront capital expenditure.
“Our core focus is on bringing radical change to new and existing buildings with safe, secure, smart and sustainable solutions,” said Oliver Iltisberger, president of ABB’s Smart Buildings division. “I am confident that ABB’s investment in BrainBox AI, when combined with our ABB Ability Building Ecosystem, will help us leapfrog current approaches to digital transformation, further reduce energy costs and play our part in addressing climate change.”
Sam Ramadori, president of BrainBox AI, commented on the partnership: “BrainBox AI is excited to be working with ABB, a global technology leader at the core of the energy transition, to further accelerate the deployment of our industry-changing AI-driven energy solutions for the commercial real estate sector."
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“With buildings producing 28% of the world’s total carbon emissions, it is more critical than ever to bring scalable clean technology to our cities. Overlaying autonomous artificial intelligence on existing infrastructure in the built environment is not only key to energy efficiency, but also a crucial step towards future grid-interactive buildings.”
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