This is the belief of the Portuguese startup Builtrix, which has created a platform that collects energy consumption data from buildings and integrates it with data from the energy grid. This allows users to manage consumption more intelligently and sustainably, saving money and reducing environmental impact. The company was founded in 2019 and has already developed projects in Portugal and several other European countries.

In an interview with idealista/news, Javad Hatami, co-founder and CEO of Builtrix, explains how the company was born, what problems it aims to solve, and how it uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to improve energy efficiency in buildings. He also reveals how Builtrix helps municipalities and companies achieve their sustainability goals, and what the future of the energy sector looks like with the growing integration of renewable sources.

How did the idea of creating Builtrix come about?

The idea emerged during my master's and PhD studies in energy and sustainability, where I identified several challenges related to energy management in buildings. One of the biggest problems was the lack of access to quality and real-time data on energy consumption. Without this information, it is difficult for building managers or residents to understand how energy is being used and where there are opportunities for improvement.

Along with my co-founder, we decided to create Builtrix to address this issue. We started by developing a platform that collects and analyzes energy consumption data, initially focusing on buildings. Then we realized that we could go further by integrating data from the electricity grid, which allows us to offer more complete and efficient solutions.

What exactly does Builtrix do?

Builtrix is a data intelligence platform focused on the energy sector. We collect and analyze consumption data from buildings, integrate it with data from the energy grid, and provide actionable insights to optimize energy usage.

For example, we help municipalities, companies, and other organizations identify buildings with abnormal consumption, compare performance between similar buildings, and assess the impact of energy efficiency measures. Our platform also allows predicting future consumption, which helps plan investments and reduce costs.

We work with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to analyze large volumes of data and detect patterns that would be impossible to identify manually.

What is the impact of this technology in practice?

Our solution allows clients to save on energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the energy performance of their buildings. In the case of municipalities, for example, they can use our platform to monitor schools, sports pavilions, or administrative buildings in real-time, detect anomalies, and act quickly to correct inefficiencies.

One of our recent projects in Portugal helped a municipality reduce electricity costs by about 15% in one year, just by better managing energy use in buildings.

Moreover, we help clients achieve sustainability goals, as our platform provides clear and measurable indicators that can be used in sustainability reports or in applications for funding.

What is your main differentiator compared to other solutions on the market?

One of our biggest differentiators is the integration with energy grid data. Most solutions on the market only focus on consumption data within the building. We go a step further and incorporate information from the grid, such as electricity prices, emissions associated with energy production at a given moment, and renewable energy availability.

This allows us, for example, to recommend the best time to run certain equipment, such as air conditioning or electric vehicle charging, depending on when energy is cheapest or has the lowest environmental impact.

Another differentiator is that our platform does not require installing new hardware. We use data that is already available from existing systems, such as smart meters or energy management platforms, which makes adoption easier and more cost-effective.

What is the profile of your clients?

Our clients are mainly municipalities, energy service companies (ESCOs), building management companies, and sustainability consultants. We work in both the public and private sectors, and we currently have projects in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands.

Municipalities are a strategic sector for us because they are under increasing pressure to improve the energy efficiency of their assets and reduce emissions. And many times, they lack the tools or resources to do so effectively.

We also work with energy consultants who use our platform to support their analysis and recommendations to clients.

How does Builtrix use AI and big data?

We use machine learning algorithms to analyze energy consumption data and identify patterns, anomalies, or opportunities for improvement. For example, we can detect if a building is consuming more energy than normal, even if no one is inside, or if there is a gradual increase in consumption that may indicate faulty equipment.

We also use forecasting models to predict future consumption, considering historical data, weather forecasts, and other variables. This is important for planning, budgeting, and demand response strategies.

All this is possible thanks to the processing of large volumes of data – what we call big data. The more data we have, the more accurate and intelligent our recommendations become.

What role does Builtrix play in the energy transition?

We believe that data is the foundation of the energy transition. Without good data, it is not possible to make informed decisions, implement effective measures, or measure the impact of actions.

Builtrix contributes to the energy transition by providing the tools and information needed to optimize energy use, integrate renewables more effectively, and reduce carbon emissions.

Additionally, our platform promotes greater transparency and awareness, as users begin to understand how their buildings consume energy and what they can do to improve.

What are your future plans?

We want to continue growing in Europe and expand to other markets where energy efficiency is a priority. We are also working on new features for the platform, such as integrating data from solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries, to create even smarter and more flexible energy systems.

In the long term, we want to become a benchmark in the field of energy intelligence, helping companies, cities, and citizens transition to a more sustainable and efficient energy model.