How can a chatbot powered by AI support better energy decisions in a housing association? And what value could a digital control room offer, by providing insights into your own and others’ energy use? In Hammarby Sjöstad, local associations tested two new digital tools being developed through the DigiCityClimate project.
Several housing associations in Hammarby Sjöstad recently explored these questions by testing two prototypes: the chatbot Spara and a digital control room. The tools are being developed as part of DigiCityClimate, a collaboration between KTH, the City of Stockholm and ElectriCITY, with support from the ICLEI Action Fund and Google.org.
Making energy knowledge more accessible
Both Spara and the digital control room are designed to support local energy efforts by simplifying access to information, visualising energy data, and encouraging learning and co-creation.
Spara is trained on real questions and answers from the City of Stockholm’s climate advisors – but packaged as a chatbot that’s available anytime, with no wait time.
Participants expressed both curiosity and clear expectations. Rolf Östman and Charlie Crusoe from the housing association brf Sundet agreed that Spara meets a real need.
“It has the potential to be really useful – not just for the board, but especially for members once it’s more user-friendly and easier to understand,” says Charlie Crusoe.
“Personally, I’d like to know more about the energy use in my own apartment, for example the impact of taking a bath or using floor heating. If a bath costs 50 kronor – is it worth it?” adds Rolf Östman.
As with ChatGPT and other AI bots, how you phrase your question matters.
“We asked about pricing for EV charging. I got a fairly general answer, but my colleague got specific numbers. It depends on how you phrase your question,” says Ulf Jonson from brf Holmen.
“The key is to make it user-friendly. And the idea of seeing how other associations manage things – that’s brilliant. Then we can learn together.”
Several participants noted that different users need different things from the tools. Boards need more targeted decision support, while individual residents may be looking for everyday tips and inspiration.
A recurring wish was for tools that go beyond generic advice and can be tailored to each specific building or association.
Real-time energy insights through a digital control room
The second prototype tested was the digital control room, an innovative tool designed to help housing associations and other users monitor and manage energy consumption in their buildings. By collecting both historical and real-time data from multiple energy sources, the tool can support more efficient and climate-friendly operations.
“The interface was fairly technical and not that easy to grasp. But once it becomes more visual and user-friendly for us as residents, I think it could be a very helpful tool,” says Charlie Crusoe.
“What’s most exciting is the ability to compare your own association with others. Seeing where energy use differs, where the outliers are, and what’s working well – it opens up completely new possibilities to understand and improve our own building,” says Rolf Östman.
The tests also showed a strong desire to learn together – something that’s central to the energy community in Hammarby Sjöstad. Participants envisioned more experienced data users supporting others by sharing analyses and insights across the association.
The insights from these tests will guide the further development of both Spara and the control room. The focus ahead is on making the tools more accessible and practically useful in the everyday energy work of housing associations.
Text: Carina Näslundh
