An automation system detected an energy overcharge in the ovens of the bakery section of a supermarket in central Spain
Energy management in large facilities doesn't always fail due to a lack of control, but rather because of the difficulty in interpreting what happens on a daily basis. In many cases, cost overruns are hidden in habits considered normal and only come to light when the data is analyzed in detail, as in this case.
Sometimes, companies discover that excess energy costs are not due to a system failure or malfunction of the facilities, but rather to poor employee practices. This is what happened at a large supermarket which, after systematically reviewing its energy consumption using the Satel SenNet system, detected an anomalous pattern in the use of its bakery ovens.
The establishment's records showed that, on a recurring basis , electricity consumption spiked just before closing time , a behavior that did not fit with the usual business operations.
Until then, internal policy allowed staff to take any leftover bread home. However, data analysis revealed that, in some cases, extra bread was being baked at the last minute, unnecessarily increasing daily energy consumption.
“The information was already there, but no one was looking at it with the appropriate perspective of the technology developed by Satel Sennet,” the company explains. “It was the continuous analysis of the data that allowed us to detect behavior that, otherwise, would have gone unnoticed, resulting in significant and recurring unnecessary expenses for the company.”
Based on this objective information , the facility was able to make data-driven decisions, adjust its internal processes , and correct an inefficiency that directly impacted energy costs . This case demonstrates how monitoring, when combined with accurate data interpretation, becomes a management tool, not just a control system.
Situations like this are more common than they seem in large facilities such as supermarkets, hotels, or logistics centers, explain the experts at Satel Sennet. In these cases, small daily deviations can translate into significant cost overruns at the end of the month . The key is to have systems that not only collect information but also allow for the identification of patterns , anomalies, and opportunities for improvement.
The company emphasizes that data-driven decision-making is becoming a key strategic element in the management of this type of infrastructure. “ It’s not about monitoring, but about understanding what’s happening and why, so we can act with sound judgment and informed judgment. That’s why we’ve driven the development of Sennet ,” they conclude.
This type of analysis allows companies to optimize their resources, improve operational efficiency, and move towards more sustainable management models, demonstrating that, in many cases, the greatest savings do not require large investments, but rather a better understanding of the information that already exists within the company.
