Energy audits and modeling are areas where AI is already having a significant impact.

Today’s products can enhance energy audits by identifying energy and cost-saving opportunities and modelling demand fluctuations under different scenarios, such as weather events.

“AI solutions can analyze disparate data sources to develop algorithms for predictive maintenance and HVAC optimization, supporting facilities managers by setting energy efficiency parameters that are balanced with tenant comfort,” says Vidhya Balakrishnan, Vice-President of Software Engineering, JLL. 

For example, JLL’s Hank platform analyzes occupancy and external data to optimize heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), cutting energy use by 20% while supporting comfortable conditions for building users. It can also scale back energy consumption during peak pricing, leading to cost savings.

There are AI tools that create benchmark energy models for assets, allowing owners to leverage existing building data in their energy strategy. These benchmark models also help identify energy saving opportunities across portfolios without the time and cost of auditing each asset.

“AI can integrate location, climate conditions, energy sources and externally available information to model energy use for similar assets or newer technologies lacking granular data. This allows building operators to start benefiting from more advanced energy controls before they perform a full audit,” says Yuehan Wang, Global Research Associate – Real Estate Technologies, JLL.

In energy planning, AI tools can also inform strategies to combine renewable energy with traditional sources and battery storage, supporting resilience through price spikes and power outages.

Energy retrofits are becoming crucial for buildings to remain competitive as tenant demand shifts towards more sustainable spaces as well as avoiding non-compliance amid tightening regulations.

“Enhanced energy efficiency attracts the “green premium” from the growing number of tenants who value sustainability, helping futureproof real estate portfolios,” says Wang. 

JLL research found that a light to medium retrofit – addressing elements from lighting to mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment – can reduce energy consumption by 10%-40%.

AI is increasingly helping owners and investors to take a more informed, data-driven approach on their overall energy retrofit strategy and better navigate uncertainties in cost-effectiveness and payback periods.

Highly specific, AI-driven energy models can guide retrofits to improve a building’s energy efficiency, supporting the creation of detailed digital twins. These simulate building energy demand under different design parameters and can be a crucial factor in accelerating retrofits to align with net-zero targets.

“Mitigating devaluation and stranding risks is a key benefit of energy retrofits. AI-powered energy modelling can help establish a data-driven investment strategy not only for single buildings but across portfolios as owners work toward decarbonization targets over the next five years,” says Balakrishnan.