Dabbel Leverages AI for Enhanced Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

Dabbel, a proptech company headquartered in Düsseldorf, is utilizing artificial intelligence to deliver substantial energy savings within commercial building environments.

The company has created a cloud-based, self-learning building management software solution. This software seamlessly integrates with existing building management systems (BMS), assuming control of heating and cooling operations with a level of dynamism surpassing traditional systems reliant on fixed set-point adjustments.

AI-Driven Optimization and Predictive Control

Dabbel’s AI algorithms account for crucial building characteristics, including orientation and thermal insulation. Furthermore, calibration decisions are re-evaluated every five minutes, enabling a responsive adaptation to both external and internal environmental shifts.

Founded in 2018, the startup asserts that its methodology – integrating AI-powered predictive modeling with established BMS infrastructure – facilitates next-generation building automation. This approach is projected to yield significant energy reductions, potentially reaching up to 40%.

“Dabbel continuously assesses its decisions based on comprehensive data analysis,” explains Abel Samaniego, CEO and co-founder. “With each cycle, the system refines and modifies its actions in response to prevailing conditions within and surrounding the building. This is achieved through cognitive artificial intelligence, powering a Model-Based Predictive Control (MPC) System… which dynamically adjusts all HVAC setpoints based on current and anticipated conditions.”

Essentially, the system proactively anticipates necessary adjustments for future conditions. This contrasts with conventional, pre-set BMS configurations that may prolong the operation of heating systems unnecessarily.

Seamless Integration and Minimal Disruption

A key benefit for commercial property owners and tenants is that Dabbel achieves these energy savings without requiring costly and disruptive system replacements. Nor does it necessitate extensive installation of IoT devices or sensors to create a ‘smart’ building environment; the AI works in conjunction with, and automatically calibrates, existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Implementation of Dabbel’s SaaS solution is rapid, requiring less than a week and often achievable remotely.

“There are no restrictions regarding the types of Heating and Cooling systems used,” confirms Samaniego, drawing on his background in industrial engineering and extensive experience in automating advanced manufacturing facilities in Germany. “A building equipped with a Building Management System is essential, and ideally, a BACnet communication protocol should be in place.”

Proven Results and Global Validation

Across approximately 250,000m² of managed space, the average energy reduction achieved by Dabbel’s AI is a noteworthy 27%. The startup reports peak savings of up to 42% in certain instances.

Dabbel emphasizes that these savings have been “validated across diverse applications and geographical locations, including Europe, the U.S., China, and Australia”.

Growing Adoption and Future Expansion

Initial clients include facility managers of large commercial properties – Commerzbank’s early-stage investment arm has incubated the startup, recognizing its potential – and several educational institutions.

Currently, an additional 1,000,000m² is in the contract or offer stage, with installation planned “over the next six months”.

Dabbel anticipates expanding the applicability of its technology to other types of educational facilities and exploring further use-cases. The company is also investigating the addition of a predictive maintenance feature to enhance its software’s capabilities by proactively alerting building owners to potential equipment malfunctions.

With global policymakers increasingly focused on achieving substantial carbon emission reductions to meet ambitious climate targets, the energy efficiency of buildings is a critical area of attention.

“The era of passive responses to the urgent challenge of carbon emission reduction is over,” stated Samaniego. “We proactively developed a solution that replaces flawed human decision-making with an autonomous process, operating with precision and continuously improving through artificial intelligence.”

Security and Funding

Addressing potential security concerns regarding connecting building systems to a cloud-based AI, Dabbel clarifies that it connects to the BMS network – separate from the company/building’s IT network.

Furthermore, the system utilizes one-way communication through a VPN tunnel, “establishing an end-to-end encrypted connection adhering to high market standards,” according to Samaniego.

Dabbel recently secured €3.6 million (~$4.4M) in pre-Series A funding, led by Target Global, with participation from Commerzbank’s incubator, SeedX, and strategic angel investors.

Dr. Ricardo Schaefer, partner at Target Global, commented: “We are excited to collaborate with the Dabbel team as they provide clients with a practical and seamless method to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, bridging the gap between measurement and effective action.”