Fira de Barcelona deploys Sener's AI platform to enhance thermal comfort & energy efficiency

Large-scale buildings, smart building systems, and energy management in public venues require precise control of climate systems to balance comfort and efficiency. In this context, Sener has deployed its AI-based Respira platform at Fira de Barcelona, aiming to optimize energy consumption and indoor environmental conditions across the Gran Via exhibition venue.

The platform has been implemented across eight halls covering approximately 240,000 m² of air-conditioned space. These facilities include complex HVAC infrastructure such as heat pumps, chillers, air handling units and fan coils, as well as connections to district heating and cooling systems. Respira is designed to manage this complexity by acting as a virtual operator, continuously analysing system performance and environmental conditions.

AI-driven optimization of climate systems
Respira integrates data from multiple sources, including the venue’s SCADA system, local weather stations and energy consumption metrics. By processing these inputs, the platform identifies inefficiencies in real time and adjusts system parameters to improve performance.

The system manages more than 275 air handling units, 30 chillers and 55 heat pumps, enabling coordinated control of temperature, airflow and energy use across the entire site. This approach is particularly relevant in exhibition environments, where occupancy levels and thermal loads vary significantly during events.

Energy savings and improved thermal comfort
The platform is designed to reduce energy consumption for climate control by up to 30% while maintaining or improving thermal comfort and indoor air quality. In large venues with high ceilings and fluctuating visitor numbers, maintaining stable environmental conditions is a key operational challenge.

By optimizing HVAC performance, Respira supports lower operational and maintenance costs while reducing the overall carbon footprint of the facility.

Real-time monitoring and decision support
Respira provides dashboards for data visualization, along with alerts and recommendations to support operational decision-making. This enables facility managers to monitor system performance continuously and respond proactively to changes in demand or environmental conditions.

The platform has been operational at the Gran Via venue since February 2025 and supported major events such as MWC Barcelona (2–5 March 2025), where it contributed to maintaining thermal comfort for over 100,000 attendees.

Deployment in transport and healthcare environments
Beyond exhibition venues, Respira has been deployed in other large-scale infrastructures. In the Barcelona Metro, operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, the system has achieved energy savings of approximately 25%, equivalent to €1.7 million annually, while reducing average temperatures during summer.

The platform has also been implemented across healthcare facilities managed by the Consorci Hospitalari de Vic, integrating HVAC and energy systems into a unified monitoring and optimization environment. This enables real-time supervision of equipment performance, environmental conditions and energy usage in critical care settings.

By combining AI-driven analytics with real-time system integration, Respira demonstrates how intelligent energy management platforms can improve efficiency and environmental performance in complex building environments.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.

www.group.sener.com