By combining artificial intelligence (AI) with cutting-edge technology, Amazon is not only improving operational efficiency but also making significant strides in sustainability. These AI-based tools, built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), are supporting Amazon’s commitment to its Climate Pledge, aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
From water conservation efforts to energy optimisation, AI is transforming the way Amazon manages its buildings, utilities, and overall operations. As the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy globally, Amazon is also leveraging AI to boost the performance of its logistics centres, fulfilment hubs, and warehouses across the world.
Detecting Water Leaks with AI
One of the standout examples of AI in action is Amazon’s FlowMS, a tool designed to monitor utility usage and detect potential issues. In a logistics facility in Glasgow, Scotland, FlowMS spotted an unnoticed water leak caused by a faulty valve in an underground pipeline, which had been consuming millions of gallons annually. Although the leak was invisible to the naked eye, FlowMS identified the anomaly by analysing water metering data and alerting staff. The repair of the valve prevented the loss of around nine million gallons of water each year.
This incident is just one of many where AI tools are being used to reduce waste, enhance sustainability, and drive Amazon’s Climate Pledge initiatives. Kara Hurst, Amazon’s Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasised the company’s dedication to decarbonising its operations, saying, “At Amazon, we’re innovating with AI to help us find new ways to decarbonize even faster.”
Improving Energy Efficiency through AI
Amazon has also introduced the Base Building Advanced Monitoring (BBAM) tool, which integrates machine learning technologies like AWS’s Amazon SageMaker and Lambda to monitor HVAC systems in real time. This tool analyses data on energy consumption, operational performance, and even local weather conditions, allowing it to detect issues such as clogged filters or malfunctioning components that can increase energy use. For example, in Spain, BBAM identified a malfunctioning air conditioning unit by comparing its cooling output to the expected demand based on outside temperatures. This early detection allowed Amazon staff to resolve the issue before it affected employees or energy consumption.
Similarly, the AI-driven FlowMS tool was deployed at a fulfilment centre in New York, where it detected a miscalibrated utility meter, showing the building was using five times more energy than other Amazon sites. After further investigation, employees realised the meter was faulty, and the energy consumption was actually much lower than originally thought.
These tools are being implemented across more than 120 Amazon sites, with the company planning to expand the reach of both FlowMS and BBAM to over 300 buildings by the end of 2025.
AI-Powered Refrigeration Monitoring
Another impressive application of AI is in Amazon’s grocery fulfilment centres. Advanced Refrigeration Monitoring (ARM) is a tool developed by Amazon to analyse refrigeration units in real time. ARM monitors the energy meters and operational data of refrigeration systems, ensuring that perishable goods are kept at the optimal temperature. When it detects a malfunction or excessive energy consumption, ARM sends an instant message to Amazon associates to inform them of the issue and pinpoint the specific equipment involved.
In one instance in Spain, ARM detected an irregularity in the defrost cycle of a refrigeration unit, enabling the team to resolve the issue before it resulted in significant food loss and equipment downtime. ARM is currently deployed in Amazon’s grocery network across North America and Europe, and the company plans to expand it to over 150 sites by the end of 2025.
Building Smarter, More Sustainable Infrastructure
AI is also being used to optimise the energy efficiency of building systems. In addition to FlowMS and BBAM, Amazon’s infrastructure projects are embracing AI-based systems that help identify energy waste and improve the overall performance of buildings. For instance, at Amazon fulfilment centres, AI tools monitor dock doors to alert employees when they are accidentally left open, reducing unnecessary energy loss. By deploying these solutions across its sites, Amazon is seeing significant savings in energy consumption, which further supports its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
These advances in AI-driven energy and water conservation are just part of Amazon’s broader sustainability strategy, which also includes significant investments in renewable energy projects. With more than 600 renewable energy projects globally, Amazon is helping to curb emissions in regions with high levels of pollution.
The Road Ahead: Scaling AI for Greater Impact
Amazon’s AI-powered tools are proving to be an invaluable asset in the company’s quest to become more sustainable and efficient. By using machine learning and data-driven insights, Amazon is enhancing the performance of its buildings and operations, from reducing energy and water waste to ensuring the optimal function of equipment.
The company’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Kara Hurst, remains optimistic about the future, saying, “AI enables us to make significant progress toward our sustainability goals. We’re using a suite of AI tools to manage energy and water use in over 100 of our buildings, and we’ll continue to expand these efforts across our global network.”
As AI tools like FlowMS, BBAM, and ARM continue to scale, Amazon is well on its way to transforming its global infrastructure into one that is more energy-efficient, water-conscious, and aligned with its long-term sustainability objectives. Through innovation and the power of AI, Amazon is setting a powerful example of how businesses can leverage technology to drive meaningful environmental change.
Source; https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-ai-buildings-water-energy-efficiency
