AI-driven platforms can optimize thousands of energy data points in shopping malls and have cut down energy waste by 29% in a Lithuanian shopping center. Research reveals that the majority of shopping centers lack retrofits that could improve energy efficiency by 75%.
According to a recent study published in Energy Policy, retail properties remain understudied despite their contribution to global emissions. A big part of such properties is shopping malls, which are among the largest energy consumers due to their significant size, extended operating hours, and varied energy demands. Energy experts from Exergio, a company that develops AI-based tools for energy efficiency in commercial buildings, showcase that by integrating AI-based solutions in shopping centers, they can reduce energy waste by as much as 29%.
Shopping centers have extensive energy requirements that are necessary to optimize and maintain temperatures to power lighting and equipment. It makes the decarbonization of these properties problematic due to their operational requirements and multifunctional layouts.
Diverse businesses like restaurants with high heating and cooling needs, retail stores with extended lighting hours, and medical or recreational spaces requiring specialized systems require a more complex approach to cutting energy waste.
“These centers house diverse energy systems, including inefficient HVAC units running constantly, outdated equipment drawing excessive power, and unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas like storage rooms, restrooms, or back-of-house corridors that are not frequently accessed by shoppers. These inefficiencies, paired with a lack of insulation and water heating system issues, collectively lead to energy waste,” explained Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio.
Out of the all existing shopping malls across Europe, only 4% undergo renovation annually. However, retrofitting presents an opportunity for energy savings. Research indicates that energy efficiency in shopping malls can improve by up to 75% with major retrofits, incorporating modernized systems and energy-saving technologies.
“Retrofitting is a viable choice that could help shopping centers cut down energy waste, but it should be more complex and include AI. Many owners of the centers simply cannot afford to do deep renovations,” added Karčiauskas. “It is still possible to achieve desirable results by integrating digital and AI-driven systems even without renovation and achieve results up to 10 times faster. AI can process thousands of data points across HVAC, lighting, and other systems to optimize operations holistically. Doing this manually is next to impossible.”
Exergio’s solution has already helped the shopping center Ozas in Lithuania to transform its energy management. Exergio integrated advanced systems like Building Management System (BMS) analysis and machine learning to control HVAC in real-time. It helped to monitor equipment more precisely and improved algorithm functionality.
The company showcased that wireless CO2 sensors can also optimize indoor air quality, and enable efficient airflow and temperature adjustments. These upgrades helped to reduce electricity consumption by 29%, and in heat usage for HVAC systems by 36%. It translated to around €1M in cost savings.
“The timeline to meet emission targets is getting closer, and digital solutions offer a way to accelerate progress. If the existing shopping malls integrate AI-based digital tools into their energy management systems, they can achieve sustainability targets faster. Thus, shopping malls can achieve several objectives: save on electricity bills, increase the value of the property, and improve visitors’ experience,” concluded Karčiauskas.
