Artificial intelligence could help U.S. buildings to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to a paper by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
AI-driven energy use and carbon emission reductions could grow to 40% and 90% in 2050, respectively, compared with a business-as-usual scenario, the paper says. Absent energy efficiency improvements or policy support, building energy consumption would keep increasing. AI could be applied in four key categories: equipment, occupancy influence, control and operation, and design and construction.
The research focused on medium-sized office buildings in the U.S. It forecasts AI’s potential to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions through six scenarios. These include a setting that uses current building efficiency as a baseline, as well as two business-as-usual scenarios with and without AI, and three policy-driven scenarios.
In a separate study, the International WELL Building Institute examined AI’s potential impact on building energy consumption earlier this year. IWBI said that by implementing digital twins and AI, operators could use live data feeds to automatically open or close doors and windows, or increase or decrease the strength of fans throughout a building to achieve efficiency gains.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Sep 10, 2020
EV charging webinar to feature experts from Bozzuto, Irvine Company, and RCLCO - Wed., 9-16
EV charging webinar (9/16) to feature Bozzuto Development, The Irvine Company, RCLCO, and ChargePoint
Continuing Education and Life Time Learning | Apr 3, 2020
Online technical training sessions on tankless water heaters and boilers
Tankless water heaters and boiler training for plumbing contractors.
Green | Mar 9, 2020
BuroHappold commits to all new building projects achieving net-zero carbon by 2030
The engineering firm also launched a long-term partnership with ILFI.
Sponsored | HVAC | Feb 3, 2020
Reliable Building Systems Increase Net Operating Income by Retaining Tenants
Tenants increasingly expect a well-crafted property that feels unique, authentic, and comfortable—with technologically advanced systems and spaces that optimize performance and encourage collaboration and engagement. The following guidance will help owners and property managers keep tenants happy.
Building Technology | Jan 7, 2020
Tariff whiplash for bifacial solar modules
Bifacial solar systems offer many advantages over traditional systems.
Sponsored | HVAC | Jan 6, 2020
Maximize Energy Efficiency in Class A Office Buildings With Modern Building Systems
Energy-efficient building design starts with the building envelope, but the building systems have a tremendous impact on energy use as well.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 16, 2019
Top Building Systems Products for 2019
FabricAir’s ceiling-hung fabric duct and Ellumi Lighting’s bacteria-killing lights are among the 13 new building systems products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 12, 2019
Top Building Envelope Products for 2019
Sto's beetle-inspired exterior coating and Dörken Systems' UV-resistant vapor-permeable barrier are among the 28 new building envelope products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 8, 2019
Florida’s first net-zero K-12 school opens
The building is distinguished by its rooftop solar array and its air-tight envelope.
Energy Efficiency | Dec 5, 2018
Harvard debuts HouseZero as a possible response to making existing buildings more efficient
Hundreds of embedded sensors will inform energy use reduction research.
