Case Study: Optimizing Energy Consumption in Warehouse Cold Rooms

Client

A leading producer and distributor of apples faced rising energy bills due to the high electricity consumption of their cold rooms. To address this, they implemented an electrical flexibility program. This solution allowed them to modulate their cold room energy usage, reducing costs while adhering to strict production requirements.

Challenges

The company’s cold rooms, which are essential for preserving fresh produce, were running on fixed schedules and lacked flexibility. This rigid setup led to unnecessary energy consumption, particularly during peak demand periods when electricity prices spiked. With sustainability goals in mind and a desire to manage operating costs more efficiently, the company needed a smart solution that could provide energy flexibility and real-time visibility into operations—all without interrupting their fast-paced production flow.

Solution

The company deployed an IoT-powered energy management system, integrating with the existing electrical network and refrigeration controls using the Modbus communication protocol. This system allowed for remote monitoring and control of cold room temperatures while adjusting energy consumption based on real-time conditions. It enabled energy optimization during peak demand periods, aligning energy usage with grid conditions and renewable energy availability.

Results

The company successfully reduced its electricity costs while maintaining optimal cold room performance. Thanks to the system’s real-time control capabilities, refrigeration units automatically adapted to energy price fluctuations and grid conditions, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

The entire solution was integrated into the existing infrastructure without the need for major capital expenditures or ongoing manual adjustments—delivering immediate operational and environmental benefits.

Key Takeaways