Eluxevo: Navigating open source and AI within complex energy systems

This case study explores how Eluxevo, a UK-based startup, is developing AI-enabled solutions to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort in our homes. Founded by Maximillian (Max) Smith, the company sits at the intersection of energy systems, human behaviour and AI. A central strategic question for Eluxevo concerns the role of open source: how can it accelerate innovation that can address the barriers faced by a broad range of stakeholders, and reduce barriers to entry? And what are the tensions around intellectual property, revenue generation and long-term sustainability? Participation in The Turing Way Practitioners Hub has influenced Eluxevo’s thinking in areas including risk, governance, stakeholder mapping, and responsible AI implementation. This case study is published under The Turing Way Practitioners Hub 2025-26 Cohort - case study series. The Practitioners Hub is The Turing Way project that works with experts from partnering organisations to promote data science best practices. Key takeaways AI (including machine learning techniques) can be employed in the home heating sector to reconcile the complexities of energy systems and infrastructure with human comfort and affordability. Making use of open-source software can lower barriers to innovation – especially for resource-conscious startups. But it can also introduce strategic tensions and trade-offs around IP, commercial revenue and governance that need to be properly understood at an early stage. One major challenge for companies looking to build real-world systems is the need for data to train and validate the models used, which is only possible to generate once the systems are deployed. "Living labs" and trial periods can help meet this challenge. Utilising a variety of different external expertise sources can help build up a robust picture of different aspects of business, product, and supply chain considerations, such as cybersecurity and data governance. Innovation rarely happens in silos, cannot happen through closed doors, and often finds its most fertile ground in open research, development and discussion communities, where problems are identified by personal realities, and solutions are developed that benefit wider needs.