HERO (High-efficiency Energy Resource Optimization) is a project focused on the development of advanced energy efficiency solutions applicable to industrial and tertiary contexts through the integrated use of artificial intelligence (AI) and mathematical optimization. The aim is to provide intelligent and automated tools that can reduce energy consumption, lower emissions and optimize heating and cooling resources, with a direct impact on the sustainability and competitiveness of the organizations involved.
An intelligent system for energy management
The project aims to build a highly specialized information system capable of working autonomously, adaptively and data-driven for efficient energy management. The system will integrate:
- Advanced forecasting algorithms based on artificial intelligence techniques to predict heating and cooling energy demand and consumption in real-life scenarios.
- Mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) optimization models to determine the best operating strategies in real time to minimize costs and emissions without compromising process performance or environmental comfort.
Regulatory context and motivation
In a European context increasingly focused on decarbonization and energy efficiency, companies and entities managing large infrastructures are being called upon to review their consumption patterns. The HERO project was born from the need to support this change with reliable, flexible and value-adding technological solutions that can adapt to the needs of particularly energy-intensive sectors.
Real and strategic use cases
The project includes the validation of the developed solutions on the basis of two concrete use cases, which were selected for their relevance and representativeness:
- Food industry: optimization of energy consumption in cold storage, an energy-intensive activity that is crucial for product quality and safety.
- Highly complex tertiary buildings: intelligent management of heating and cooling consumption in environments such as shopping centres, airports and offices, where comfort, efficiency and reliability are key factors.
With this approach, HERO aims to offer a scalable, modular and replicable solution that can be adapted to different operational circumstances and technological contexts.
Expected effects
- Reduction of consumption and CO₂ emissions through intelligent control of energy demand.
- Optimization of operating costs, with tangible economic benefits for users.
- Automation of decision-making processes in the energy sector through advanced forecasting and simulation tools.
- Contribution to national and European environmental targets, in line with efficiency and sustainability guidelines.
