In a significant move within the energy sector, London-based Applied Computing has successfully raised £9 million in seed funding to further expand its AI-driven solutions. This investment supports the company’s mission to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries by leveraging advanced computing models. As stakeholders navigate the global shift to net-zero emissions, the need for innovative solutions that optimize existing energy infrastructures becomes increasingly crucial. The company’s efforts focus on making current assets more efficient rather than replacing them, aligning with industry demands for cost reduction and environmental impact mitigation.
Given the ongoing challenges within the energy sector, Applied Computing’s previous initiatives have highlighted a growing interest in AI technologies. There has been a consistent focus on optimizing traditional systems to meet the dynamic requirements of heavy industries. Previously, the industry witnessed various technological advancements aimed at improving energy use and reducing emissions, but Applied Computing’s Orbital platform offers a distinctive, integrative approach. By incorporating multiple data models, the platform aims to deliver real-time, onsite intelligence without compromising data security.
What is Orbital’s Role in the Industry?
Orbital, Applied Computing’s flagship AI platform, is designed to optimize existing industrial assets through a multi-foundation AI framework. It integrates diverse models, including language, physics, and chemical engineering, to enhance operational efficiency. The extensive use of data from downstream energy facilities enables Orbital to outperform traditional systems significantly. Notably, it has achieved a 90% improvement over previous benchmarks, primarily targeting heavy industries such as oil and gas.
How Does Applied Computing Plan to Use the New Funding?
The recent funding round, noted as one of the largest for a UK AI entity, will underpin Applied Computing’s strategic expansion goals. These include forming new partnerships and expanding operations internationally. The company is also preparing for a Series A funding round to continue its efforts in scaling and enhancing its current technologies. The backing from investors like Stride.VC and Repeat.vc underscores the anticipated demand and potential of such AI tools in transforming industrial efficiencies.
CEO Callum Adamson emphasized the complexity and impact of refining:
“Refining is where complexity, scale, and impact converge. It’s not just hard – it’s the apex of validation.”
He further noted the significance of Orbital’s deployment:
“Orbital is already delivering at production scale in some of the most complex industrial environments on the planet.”
Founded by Callum Adamson and Dr. Sam Tukra, Applied Computing has already partnered with some of the world’s largest oil refineries. Its platform aims to deliver on-edge, real-time intelligence, offering significant cost savings and a rapid return on investment. Such advancements look to establish a more intelligent energy management system that is better aligned with contemporary environmental goals.
Applied Computing’s focus on enhancing rather than replacing infrastructure mirrors ongoing efforts in the energy sector to blend traditional and renewable energy sources. As industries strive to meet global environmental standards, integrating such AI solutions could play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable operations. This ability to seamlessly merge advanced AI with industry practices positions the company as a key player in the energy transition dialogue.
