At e2Companies, our goal has always been to build energy systems that are as dynamic and dependable as the organizations they serve. To do that, we rely on technology partners who bring deep expertise in digital systems, data modeling, and AI.
Keyfive has been one of those foundational partners from the beginning.The company has played a significant role in the energy monitoring software at the heart of Virtual UtilityⓇ.
They developed the proprietary AI models we use to analyze facilities’ historical and real-time data and predict demand so facilities managers can take a more proactive approach to consumption.
As Keyfive’s digital twin architecture and AI platform continue to advance, so does the intelligence behind Grove365®, R3Di®, and the broader Virtual Utility® ecosystem.
We recently sat down with Keyfive CEO Jay Douglas to talk about what’s new, what’s changing, and what’s next.
Here are the biggest insights he shared.
The biggest shift Douglas has seen in the past year is the acceleration of AI tools capable of modeling complex systems with speed and precision.
“The big differentiator is the proliferation of big data and big AI platforms,” he said.
“These capabilities now allow Keyfive to rapidly deploy tailored models across energy systems and manufacturing environments, delivering real-time predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and cause-and-effect insights. We’re able to provide deep analysis that a human can never do … and give true insights into the way they’re performing.”
What once required large data science teams and substantial development cycles can now be completed faster, more efficiently, and with far less friction.
This combination of high-resolution sensing and advanced AI is one of the core engines behind the latest enhancements in Grove365, enabling smarter decisions across R3Di, battery systems, and facility loads.
A recurring theme in the conversation was the value of predictive maintenance and the shift away from fixed maintenance schedules.
Douglas noted that many organizations still service equipment the way they service cars: on a timer, not based on actual conditions. Others defer maintenance entirely and simply “run equipment into the ground,” he said.
Keyfive’s models make both approaches obsolete.
By monitoring systems upstream from the utility and downstream into the customer’s assets, Keyfive can identify performance issues before they cause downtime.
“We’re able to forecast when there’s going to be any potential issues before they happen. These systems never unexpectedly go down,” Douglas said.
This capability has become even more important as large loads—from data centers to continuous manufacturing operations—drive onsite energy systems to run around the clock. Customers who depend on uptime see the value in shifting from reactive to deterministic maintenance.
While AI often gets the spotlight, digital twins are the underlying structure that makes Keyfive’s approach possible.
Douglas embraces this development at Keyfive: “Everything we do is based on a digital twin. That’s the foundation of our technology.”
These digital representations recreate how generators, batteries, inverters, motors, and other components interact within a system. This modeling capability allows engineering teams to design systems more efficiently and enables operators to run them with far greater clarity.
“It cuts down on guesswork, rework, and trial-and-error,” he added.
For e2Companies, digital twins are a central part of how Grove365 delivers practical insights, supports system stability, and improves the Virtual UtilityⓇ platform’s long-term performance and outlook.
Looking forward, Douglas sees major opportunities emerging across high-demand sectors.
This challenge is accelerating interest in onsite, intelligent power systems, particularly in data centers, manufacturing, water and wastewater facilities, even in stadiums and other major event venues that use large amounts of power for short periods of time and have high demand charges.
Some of Keyfive’s most advanced technologies for data centers and manufacturing are set to launch next year.
To support that growth, the company will be expanding its engineering team, adding engineers with an interest in power systems, modern electronics, AI, and energy.
(If this sounds like you or you know someone who would be a good fit, check out their careers page for the latest postings.)
As Keyfive releases new capabilities and expands into more markets, the collaboration between our teams will continue to shape how customers monitor, manage, and optimize their energy systems.
Keyfive’s advancements in AI, digital twins, and deterministic maintenance directly strengthen Virtual Utility’s intelligence, reliability, and overall value. Their work ensures the systems our customers depend on stay ahead of emerging energy challenges, whether powering mission-critical manufacturing lines or supporting the next generation of energy-hungry data centers.
We’re grateful to Jay Douglas and the Keyfive team for their continued partnership and look forward to the innovations ahead!