Energy Management in Manufacturing: One System Doesn't Fit All

When it comes to energy monitoring, one size does not fit all.

Energy use varies wildly between sites — and so should your approach to managing it. Whether you’re chasing cost savings, aiming for compliance, or future-proofing your plant’s energy strategy, the right system makes all the difference. And when you’re working with a world-leading brand like Socomec, it’s less about whether the technology can do the job, and more about choosing the product that’s the best fit for your job.

So, let’s break it down.

First Things First: What Do You Want from Energy Monitoring?

Before we talk tech, let’s talk expectations. We sat down with NHP’s Fekra Gasser, Product Manager – Energy Intelligence & Connectivity.

“Understanding what your site actually needs and what you want out of energy management is the most important step,” says Fekra. “You can’t make good decisions until you’ve got good data, and to get that, you need the right setup.”

Energy management isn’t just about tracking usage. It’s about unlocking insight. With accurate data, you can:

• Reduce operating costs
• Extend the life of electrical assets
• Identify energy waste
• Improve ESG performance
• Prepare for future compliance requirements

And all of that starts with choosing the right system.

Smarter Monitoring Starts Here

NHP is proud to be the exclusive distributor of Socomec’s energy metering range in both Australia and New Zealand — including their newest addition, the Countis P. Whether you’re tracking energy across chillers, VSDs, ovens or automated lines, the full range gives you the flexibility to monitor what matters, where it matters.

For basic loads like HVAC or lighting, Countis P offers reliable, compliant sub-metering in a space-saving form and can measure up to four circuits per device. “That’s where Countis P really shines,” says Fekra. “It’s ideal for auxiliary loads across food manufacturing sites. It saves time and space.”

For more sensitive or critical loads DIRIS A gives you deeper visibility with harmonic analysis, power quality insight, and built-in cloud connectivity.

At the premium end, Digiware provides a centralised, scalable platform that ties it all together. It’s a modular system that lets you mix and match meters across your plant — from cold storage to production — and still view everything through one intelligent interface.

“The beauty of Digiware is you can scale your monitoring,” explains Fekra. “It keeps things clean, integrated, and tailored. It’s ready to grow with your site.”

By combining Countis P, DIRIS A and Digiware with NHP’s full Energy Management solutions, food and beverage facilities can build a unified system that evolves as their operations change, helping ensure cleaner data, smarter maintenance, and long-term compliance.

Where Things Often Get Missed

A common misconception is that energy monitoring only matters if you can change when or how you use equipment. But insight doesn’t have to mean disruption.

“There are still things you can do to save money or protect your assets, even if you can’t change how the site operates,” says Fekra. “But without the data, you won’t even know where the issues are.”

Take sensitive food processing or refrigeration equipment. You can’t simply switch it off during peak times—and you shouldn’t have to. But if it’s being fed poor-quality power, you’re risking faults and faster degradation. With the right data, you can address that without ever shutting things down.

Another big one: “We already have an energy meter, so we’re covered.”

Maybe. But one meter usually tells you how much energy you’re using overall, not where that usage is coming from, or why. Without more granular data, you’re guessing.

“People often rely on habits or what worked at their last site,” says Fekra. “But every building is different. You need to design based on this site — not the one before it.”

For example, in a food facility, data might show excessive overnight usage from chillers that are set too low. In another site, it could be post-cleaning equipment that’s left running idle. Insight leads to smarter, site-specific decisions.

And then there’s the personal bias: “At home, off-peak times are cheaper — surely the same logic applies here?”

That kind of thinking is natural, but risky. What works at home, or another site, won’t always translate.

“Don’t let emotions or habits drive your energy strategy,” says Fekra. “Let the data speak. Because what you think is happening and what’s actually happening are often very different.”

Good Setup Means Great Data

NHP’s tech service team helps you get the most from your system, with full commissioning to fit your needs. This includes setting up dashboards, alarms, reports, and more, so you get meaningful data from day one.

“Once the wiring’s done, it’s common for contractors to hand over the setup,” says Fekra. “But good configuration is what turns raw data into real insight, and our commissioning services ensure it’s done correctly.

“For example, one Australian chain using Socomec’s energy monitoring range trialled a small change — reducing oven temperatures by just 2°C and cooking a bit longer. The data showed them exactly where to focus. The trial proved successful, so they rolled it out across multiple sites, and when scaled, that small adjustment delivered serious cost savings.”

Ready to Take Control of Your Energy?

Habits are hard to break, but energy management shouldn’t rely on guesswork. It’s about reliable data. The more detailed your data, the better your decisions.

Whether your focus is compliance, cost control, or protecting critical food processing equipment, the Socomec range offers straightforward, effective solutions tailored to your needs.

Book a free consultation with NHP’s energy specialists today to help understand help how the Socomec range can help with recommending the right products to suit your energy goals.

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