The hyperlocal weather forecast pilot boldly combined innovative technologies
Our hyperlocal weather forecast pilot set out to save energy in buildings. The solution continues its life for example in assessing district heating needs in East Helsinki.
30 percent of the energy used globally is consumed by buildings, largely for heating and cooling. The heating and air conditioning is dependent on the weather. If buildings’ HVAC systems were optimized in real-time using weather forecast models, energy usage could be minimized, often significantly.
This seemingly simple idea led Vaisala Xweather and Business Helsinki to join forces on the City’s Testbed. From autumn 2023 to the end of 2024, we investigated how much energy consumption in buildings can be saved using hyperlocal weather forecasts. The pilot also involved Eeneman, Bravida ja Platform of Trust. The Myllypuro campus of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences was chosen to serve as a testbed. It has been actively involved in other innovation activities as well.
Vaisala Xweather’s solution uses wireless IoT sensors based on Vaisala’s weather measurement technology, trusted by meteorological institutes worldwide. In this pilot, Vaisala’s Xcast technology, powered by local measurements and machine learning, was used to optimize the building’s energy consumption.
Lessons learned in a real testing environment
Testing in a real urban environment is an excellent way to determine the functionality of various innovative solutions and gain product development ideas for the future. In this experiment, Vaisala Xweather utilized an AI model that refines data from general weather forecast models to hyperlocal and building-specific forecasts. We boldly experimented with this new and complex technology that combines many elements in collaboration with several companies.
– In the pilot, we developed the use of hyperlocal forecasts for control, a calculation model to assess the efficiency and impact of the weather forecasts on energy consumption, and integrations with Vaisala Xweather’s weather data and Metropolia’s building automation, explains Tapio Toivanen from Eeneman.
– We gained valuable experience from building automation applications, which can be used to develop the service further. For example, the impact of wind and solar radiation on buildings’ energy consumption optimization could also be studied, reflects Mikko Laakso from Vaisala Xweather.
– It was great to collaborate with partners who are uncompromising and passionate about the subject! Also, the experiment will continue in several use cases, which is always positive, rejoices Osmo Mattila from Business Helsinki’s innovation services.
The weather station will continue to be utilized and developed in Helsinki
One of the experiment’s challenges was obtaining unambiguous and clear results in a real environment. Several variables affected the university building’s energy use during the test period. The need to test the solution in a more controlled environment emerged. For further research, Vaisala has installed sensors on the roof of VTT‘s headquarters’ FutureHub, exploring options to utilize the building’s digital twin for weather model validation together with VTT.
The weather station is also intended to be further utilized as part of a broader weather station network to optimize Helen‘s district heating network.
The technology used in the hyperlocal weather station pilot is promising and scalable. It has the potential to have a significant global impact. The experiment’s results and feedback will help companies bring the solution to international markets more quickly. The learnings from the experiment could be more widely utilized, for example, in buildings managed by the City of Helsinki.
Photos: Vesa Laitinen/Testbed Helsinki
