Three companies have tested AI-based climate solutions in Copenhagen
Artificial intelligence is an important tool in the fight to lower cities' energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Through the AI4Cities project, Copenhagen Solutions Lab has investigated how artificial intelligence can be used in Copenhagen, and in this connection three startup companies have been given the opportunity to test their AI-based climate solutions in the municipality.
"Copenhagen is constantly working with new innovative solutions to achieve the goal of climate neutrality. Together with other European cities, we have invited tech companies to offer solutions on how we can use AI to make cities even more sustainable," says Tina Hjøllund, who is project manager at Copenhagen Solutions Lab.
The three startups have been selected from among the over 100 companies that have participated in the AI4Cities project. The selection process has taken place on the basis of the potential for innovation, the possibility of scaling up and the climate effect, as well as based on the needs of Copenhagen Municipality.
Solar energy, ventilation and CO2 emissions
One of the companies is Norwegian Holoni, whose software can predict the potential for energy production via solar cells on the city's roofs, and compare it with the buildings' consumption. In this way, the software can be used to form an overview of the potential sale of energy from the individual buildings.
"In the pilot project with Holoni, we have estimated the possibility of a massive expansion of solar energy in Copenhagen. We have made analyzes where we look at the city's overall potential and identify the buildings that are best suited to produce solar energy," says Theis Hybschmann Petersen, energy expert at Copenhagen Properties.
The Italian company Enerbrain has also tested their solution, which goes by the name Spike. Using data on the use of a building, the Spike software can find the savings potential for heating and ventilation systems without affecting comfort.
"Enerbrain's solution seems to be easy to use in many different types of buildings. At the same time, the solution is relevant across many different regions," says Theis Hybschmann Petersen.
The last AI solution that was tested in Copenhagen is called C-IN.City. Using artificial intelligence and various forms of open data about the city, the solution can calculate the CO2 emissions from buildings and traffic. That knowledge can be used to designate areas of action in the city.
Six cities and seven companies
AI4Cities is an international EU-supported project, and Copenhagen is not the only city where startup companies have tested their solutions.
In addition to Copenhagen, Stavanger, Helsinki, Tallinn, Paris and Amsterdam have also participated in the project. A total of 7 different companies have participated and tested their AI-based solutions within the energy field or the mobility field.
For the individual companies, the project has contributed to them having the opportunity to test their product in reality and make adjustments with input from the cities before it goes on the market. For the Municipality of Copenhagen, the process in the project has contributed important knowledge in relation to a possible future tender.