KPMG has recently released a report on “How AI is helping to improve energy efficiency and management in real estate.” It says that traditional retrofits are too slow and costly to deliver the scale of cuts required to reach net-zero goals of 2050, and instead points out that artificial intelligence is a faster route, but only together with the Strategic Energy Management (SEM) framework.
Exergio, a company that developed an AI-based tool for energy efficiency in commercial buildings, says that findings reflect what is already visible in real-world cases.
KPMG states that SEM should track how buildings use energy and assign clear responsibility for fixing problems. According to Karčiauskas, this usually means facility managers or energy officers are tasked with day-to-day oversight. However, certain tasks such as changing parameters in sensors should be automatically assigned to AI and machine learning models to adjust in real-time, with experts overseeing the process.
On its own, implementing a SEM mindset typically delivers 5-7% savings per year. But when used with AI, they rise to around 20%-30% state energy efficiency experts.
There are three tiers of SEM, according to the report. The first tier focuses on getting more out of what is already in place: engineers have to tune HVAC, lighting, and control systems so they run more efficiently day to day. This, according to Karčiauskas, is “a task of AI at the moment as we want to achieve faster savings”.
The second step is replacing worn or outdated equipment, for instance, boilers, chillers, or pumps, with models that use less energy. The third adds renewables or long-term power contracts, but only once the building’s basic energy consumption has been brought under control.
The authors of the paper stress that renewables should come last, since they deliver limited value if the building’s consumption has not already been optimised.
The study also indicates that efficiency depends less on new hardware and more on how existing systems are managed.
SEM has a five-step cycle. It includes assessment, planning, implementation, building capability, and monitoring. Within this setup, AI could regulate HVAC concurrently based on occupancy, weather, and usage, while managers define energy-saving goals, set comfort ranges, and review results.
DoD Greenlights Parallel Works Hybrid Multi-Cloud HPC Platform with ATO Approval, Now Ready for Defense and Industry Use
Posted in Commentary with tags Parallel Works on September 15, 2025 by itnerdParallel Works today announced its ACTIVATE High Security Platform (HSP) has achieved a historic milestone as the first-ever hybrid multi-cloud computing solution to receive the Authority to Operate (ATO) by the Department of Defense (DoD). Granted by the High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP), the IL-5 ATO authorization enables more agile, cloud-enabled defense computing capabilities to modernize defense infrastructure through scalable, secure and high-performance cloud solutions.
The designation opens the door for partners, integrators, DoD civilians and military end users to utilize Parallel Works ATO through two options:
The ATO authorization provides immediate access to a secure, IL5-authorized HPC platform, thereby shortening the time to market for DoD agencies, defense contractors, national labs, system integrators and AI/ML teams.
The DoD’s demand for automated computing solutions is skyrocketing as technology advances to support AI-driven wargaming, digital and model-based systems. Parallel Works ACTIVATE HSP advances the transition with turnkey HPC integration across DoD and commercial clouds, providing advanced orchestration for real-time simulation and AI analytics.
The Parallel Works hybrid, multi-cloud computing HSP is one of only three software programs approved to handle export-controlled workload environments, including International Traffic in Arms (ITAR), DoD IL5 and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).
Availability
The Parallel Works ACTIVATE hybrid, multi-cloud HSP is available immediately. Interested technology partners can connect at info@parallelworks.com. For more information on Parallel Works ACTIVATE HSP and the opportunities the ATO provides click here.
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