Groundbreaking study shows AI systems in modular buildings can cut user-driven energy waste by up to 87% in high-energy facilities
Aireavu, a UK leader in AI-powered building performance systems, and Portakabin, the UK’s market leader in the manufacture and construction of modular buildings, have announced the results of a pioneering and groundbreaking research collaboration with University College London, Verv, and d-fine.
The research, which was co-funded by the UK Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, set out to explore the use of trustworthy AI to monitor and control user-driven energy waste and usage within modular and portable buildings.
Extensive pilots were conducted in multiple Portakabin buildings across the UK for the past year, with around 10 million data points analysed each month. The results show that applying artificial intelligence to modular buildings can eliminate the majority of user-driven wasted energy, with reductions of up to 87% demonstrated.
Crucially, the AI achieved this without compromising comfort. The system maintained a more stable indoor environment, while allowing people to intervene and remain in control. Independent evaluation by AI assurance specialists, d-fine, confirmed the technology met high standards of transparency and trustworthiness, ensuring reliable and user-friendly operation.
Nic Shulman, CEO, Aireavu, said: “This breakthrough demonstrates how Aireavu’s technology can transform energy performance in modular buildings. By using trustworthy AI, we are helping organisations cut waste, reduce emissions, and take meaningful steps towards net zero.”
Aidan Pearce, Head of Design, Engineering and Innovation at Portakabin, said: “With rising energy prices, businesses need solutions that save energy and improve efficiency. With this research, our customers will be able to see the benefit of AI controls and can make better informed decisions about their energy usage.”
This study has shown that modular buildings by Portakabin in sectors from commercial offices to education and healthcare, can cut energy waste when using AI monitoring by Aireavu. With some buildings wasting around 70% of their energy through user-driven activities, the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions across estates by using Aireavu's AI technology is significant.