Fira de Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading trade fair organisations, has implemented Respira, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution developed by engineering and technology leader Sener, across the eight halls of its Gran Via venue. The platform analyses multiple variables from diverse data sources and functions as a virtual operator, using AI to predict and optimise energy performance while ensuring thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

In large exhibition venues such as Fira de Barcelona, the solution enables more efficient climate control standards, reducing operational and maintenance costs while enhancing visitor comfort. Given the scale and complexity of such spaces—characterised by high ceilings and large flows of people—efficient climate management is essential to ensure responsible energy use and minimise environmental impact.

Fira de Barcelona’s facilities include 240,000 m² of air-conditioned space across eight halls and common areas. The infrastructure comprises heat pumps, chillers, air handling units and fan coils, as well as a district heating and cooling connection. Respira manages more than 275 air handling units, 30 chillers and 55 heat pumps, with the aim of reducing energy consumption while maintaining optimal comfort conditions during events.

Respira integrates with Fira de Barcelona’s SCADA system, as well as other data sources such as local weather stations and energy consumption data. Using AI, it identifies inefficiencies and provides a more comprehensive operational view, enabling better decision-making that translates into energy savings and improved environmental conditions. The platform also features dashboards that support data visualisation, along with recommendations and alerts.

The platform is expected to reduce energy consumption for climate control by up to 30%, contributing to a lower carbon footprint while maintaining optimal indoor environmental conditions, including both thermal comfort and air quality.

Respira has been operational at the Gran Via venue since February 2025 and successfully supported one of Barcelona’s flagship events, MWC Barcelona, held from 3 to 6 March 2025, ensuring thermal comfort for the 109,000 attendees.

Proven experience in Catalonia

Sener has successfully deployed Respira for several clients in Catalonia, including Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). In this case, the automated system managing ventilation in the Barcelona Metro has delivered energy savings of 25%, equivalent to €1.7 million annually. In addition, average temperatures across the network decreased by 1.3°C during summer, resulting in a 10.7% increase in passenger satisfaction.

As part of a comprehensive monitoring project for the Consorci Hospitalari de Vic, the Respira platform was deployed across three of its main facilities: the Clínica Universitària de Vic, the Hospital Universitari de Vic, and the Hospital de Sant Jaume de Manlleu. The implementation focused on integrating the existing HVAC and energy systems into a unified platform for supervision and optimisation, enabling real-time monitoring of environmental conditions, equipment performance and energy consumption.

Fernán Vargas, Respira Operations Director at Sener, said: “Improving energy efficiency delivers significant resource savings for the operators of large, multifunctional and iconic venues such as Fira de Barcelona. It also supports the fight against climate change by reducing energy consumption, without compromising thermal comfort, and in many cases improving it”.