Keppel wins AI - Real Estate Award at SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2024

This highlights their commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Keppel Ltd. has secured the AI - Real Estate award at the SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2024 for its Real Estate Division's pioneering work that seamlessly integrates big data and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) techniques to revolutionise building operations. This accolade underscores the project's groundbreaking approach to enhancing energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and occupant comfort within the real estate sector.  

At the heart of Keppel’s innovative project is the advanced modelling of indoor conditions, utilising data-driven methodologies to accurately forecast carbon dioxide and occupancy levels within buildings.  

The management of energy and the internal environment of buildings is usually amongst the chief priorities for both building management and tenants. Inefficient operations in ventilation and cooling systems, for instance, can lead to discomfort amongst occupants as well as increased energy costs. As such, Keppel sought to develop a non-intrusive solution to monitor and optimise the indoor environment quality.  

Setting new standards in building operations, Keppel has developed an AI/ML model to forecast carbon dioxide levels with at least 93% accuracy, predict occupancy to optimise building operations, and adjust HVAC systems based on data insights and occupant feedback, all whilst reducing energy consumption, and enhancing IEQ and occupant comfort. The project adopts non-intrusive methods to monitor the built environment, thereby ensuring the health and productivity of occupants and tenants without compromising privacy or comfort.  

The project’s unique feature lies in the holistic integration of historical Internet-of-Things (IoT) data with real-time sensors and occupant feedback that enables precise predictions of occupancy based on carbon dioxide levels. This facilitates the intelligent optimisation of HVAC systems, achieving a balance between energy efficiency, IEQ, and occupant comfort.  

Keppel has committed to halve its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 2030 from 2020 levels and achieve net zero by 2050. This project is an example of its commitment to harness innovation to lower its carbon footprint, as well as those of the buildings it manages. Moreover, the project further boosts customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Score (NPS) by enhancing the comfort and well-being of building occupants.  

The project's impact extends beyond energy efficiency, helping to reduce manpower costs associated with addressing tenant comfort feedback, improve indoor air quality, and set a path towards fully autonomous building operations. Looking forward, Keppel is poised to roll out this transformative solution across its property portfolio where feasible and maintain its leadership position at the forefront of sustainable and innovative building management solutions.

The SBR Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Jane Patiag at jane@charltonmediamail.com.