Innovation and Technology for...

Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Energy Efficiency

Interview at ESG News | 05/03/2025 with Socrates Zaharoff, Business Development Manager at SenseOne

Sustainable development is no longer a choice but necessary for businesses seeking to reduce their energy footprint and enhance their environmental compliance. SenseOne, a pioneer in developing innovative IoT data analytics solutions, enables enterprises to monitor and optimize their real-time consumption. The company's Business Development Manager, Socrates Zaharoff, talks about the role of SenseOne, its advanced technologies, and the prospects of the energy efficiency sector.

Sustainable development is now considered a vital necessity for businesses. What role does SenseOne play in supporting businesses in this direction?

SenseOne plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development by helping businesses reduce their energy footprint and adopt practices that enhance their environmental compliance. The company has developed cutting-edge solutions based on IoT, Big Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. These allow businesses to monitor their energy data in real-time and forecast their consumption, enabling informed decision-making for optimizing and adopting sustainable practices.

SenseOne's solutions utilize the EVO-IPMVP methodology to accurately aggregate and calculate the energy savings achieved from energy-saving actions. We provide detailed reports that capture the organization's carbon footprint data, which can be integrated into annual reports in accordance with ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and ESG frameworks.

How does the SenseOne IoT Platform help companies monitor and reduce energy consumption while ensuring operational efficiency and environmental compliance?

The SenseOne IoT Platform enables companies to track their energy consumption in real-time, improving efficiency and environmental compliance. These cloud-based solutions require no local equipment installation and are compatible with any metering device. Through a centralized dashboard, businesses can visualize their energy data using reports, graphs, and Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs), facilitating timely decisions to reduce consumption and costs.

Moreover, the platform provides alerts for abnormal consumption, helping prevent faults and energy waste. It can integrate with ERP systems for improved cost allocation and consumption analysis. As previously mentioned, the AI ToolBox allows companies to forecast energy consumption and detect anomalies, further enhancing efficiency and enabling substantiated reductions in environmental impact supported by sustainability reports.

Larger enterprises typically have an advantage in adopting sustainable practices due to available resources. How does SenseOne support SMEs in this transition?

SenseOne supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering affordable and flexible solutions that facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices without high costs. While larger companies have more resources for energy management, smaller ones can start with simpler solutions like EnergySense Starter , which enables daily monitoring of energy consumption and can be gradually scaled to meet growing business needs.

As the saying goes, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. EnergySense Starter is a valuable tool for SMEs. It helps automate the recording and analysis of energy data, leading to informed decisions that optimize performance while reducing costs and carbon footprint.

We often hear about "smart cities." What contribution does SenseOne and its solutions make to municipalities?

SenseOne plays a key role in the digital transformation of local government organizations by offering innovative solutions that allow for sustainable management of energy and other resources in modern cities. Municipalities aim to deliver more efficient services, reduce their environmental impact, and optimize infrastructure management. However, existing technology systems are often fragmented, complicating data collection and analysis.

SenseOne's IoT Platform provides a unified environment where different systems and sensors can interconnect, enabling automated data collection, real-time analysis, and utilization. This facilitates better resource management and targeted decision-making. Municipalities gain access to centralized dashboards, automated reports, real-time KPI monitoring, and alerts for important issues through the platform. These features enhance efficiency in areas such as street lighting, water and waste management, and municipal building energy use. The platform also supports monitoring of environmental metrics like CO₂ emissions and noise pollution, improving residents' quality of life. With such technologies, municipalities can reduce operational costs, save energy, and move toward a more sustainable and "smart" future.

The SenseOne AI ToolBox uses artificial intelligence to predict energy consumption and reduce waste. How does this mechanism work, and what are its benefits?

The SenseOne AI ToolBox is an innovative solution that leverages AI to forecast energy consumption and improve efficiency. The SenseOne IoT Platform collects data from sensors and meters, and the AI ToolBox applies machine learning models to analyze and predict future consumption.

This gives enterprises the advantage of timely energy procurement planning, lowering costs through forward contracts during price dips. Additionally, the AI ToolBox can detect consumption deviations potentially caused by leaks, system malfunctions, or equipment failures, allowing for timely maintenance and cost reduction.

SenseOne empowers businesses to use AI strategically for sustainable and efficient energy management, paving the way toward a greener future.

What is the most innovative project that SenseOne has implemented in energy saving in Greece and internationally? Can you share a specific example?

Each SenseOne project is unique and tailored to the specific organization's needs. However, two projects stand out—one international and one in Greece—highlighting our innovation and expertise.

Internationally, a landmark project is the digital twin of ADNOC's headquarters (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company), a 65-floor skyscraper equipped with 25 different smart systems (BMS, SCADA, lighting, elevators, etc.), all interconnected through the SenseOne IoT Platform. Our solution allows efficient energy flow management and consumption forecasting, optimizing resource use and reducing environmental impact—an excellent example of managing complex facilities.

In Greece, we implemented a demanding project at Athens International Airport (AIA). In collaboration with Space Hellas (our parent company), we developed an energy management system connected to over 1,500 electricity meters, enabling the collection, recording, and analysis of energy data. The initiative led to an 80% reduction in reporting time, resource optimization, and the development of energy consumption forecasting mechanisms.

Additionally, SenseOne has provided solutions to companies and organizations such as EKO, Piraeus Bank, Thrace Plastics, Sani/Ikos Group, and public entities like municipalities and universities.

Sustainability is now a core ESG metric influencing corporate reputation. How does your platform help businesses improve their ESG scores?

Sustainability has become a key pillar of corporate strategy, with ESG metrics directly affecting reputation and credibility. The SenseOne IoT Platform provides tools for improving energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and complying with international standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 50001.

SenseOne enables companies to gain complete real-time visibility of their energy use, identify waste, and optimize resource usage. This enhances environmental performance and financial sustainability by reducing energy costs.

A prime example is EKO SA, part of HELLENiQ ENERGY Group, which implemented our solution to support its ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System. EKO gained continuous energy performance monitoring with meters installed in 158 fuel stations and 20 storage/distribution facilities. The system tracks both photovoltaic energy production and electricity consumption across its facilities, aligning with HELLENiQ ENERGY's carbon emission reduction and sustainable growth strategy.

Our solutions empower companies to track their consumption and take corrective action, documenting their progress in ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and ESG-compliant reports.

The industrial sector faces the most significant energy-saving challenges. How has SenseOne's technology been adapted to industrial facility needs?

Industrial production accounts for over 50% of global energy consumption and faces significant challenges due to stringent regulations, high energy needs, and the need for accurate cost accounting. The SenseOne IoT Platform and EnergySense solution enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption, identification of optimization points, and operational adjustments to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

A key advantage of the platform is its ability to integrate with existing metering systems, automating data collection and processing. Additionally, its integration with production and business systems offers consolidated insights into energy use and production performance, both at the plant level and for specific lines or cost centers.

Using the EVO-IPMVP methodology, the platform accurately calculates energy savings and supports ISO 50001 and ESG indicators. The AI ToolBox also adds value by predicting energy needs, allowing industries to adjust and optimize both consumption and costs.

Our solutions are fully customizable to each industrial client, enabling intelligent energy management, production process optimization, and real-time data analysis—helping them transition to Industry 4.0 with efficiency, sustainability, and competitive advantage.

SenseOne has delivered major projects. What key insights have emerged, and how do they shape your future strategies?

Our experience has highlighted the importance of tailoring solutions to each client's specific needs. Every company has unique goals, so close collaboration is essential to deliver relevant solutions.

High energy costs remain one of the biggest challenges, especially for energy-intensive businesses. That's why our platform is designed to provide real-time data in an understandable format and predictive tools to optimize efficiency.

Continuous technological evolution is critical for us. We integrate modern technologies like Big Data Analytics and AI into our platform, enabling dynamic optimization and automation of time-consuming tasks like reporting. Machine learning algorithms for forecasting consumption and anomaly detection are also pivotal, giving clients more innovative energy monitoring tools.

Our future strategic priorities include adaptability, leveraging AI, and ongoing platform upgrades to deliver cutting-edge solutions that support sustainable development and reduce energy costs.

How do you see the energy monitoring solutions market for sustainable development evolving in Greece and globally? What technologies will shape the future of energy management?

The energy monitoring market is growing rapidly both in Greece and globally, driven by heightened climate awareness, stricter regulations, and the push for sustainability. Organizations seek innovative solutions to optimize energy use, reduce costs and carbon footprint, and enhance ESG scores—making digital monitoring tools essential for precise consumption tracking and waste prevention.

Artificial intelligence is already central to improving energy efficiency. Machine learning algorithms enable consumption forecasting and anomaly detection, boosting efficiency and lowering costs. Big Data Analytics remains vital, as analyzing large datasets yields actionable insights for optimization. IoT technologies enable data collection and real-time monitoring, providing instant alerts for dynamic energy use management.

These technologies are reshaping energy management and equipping organizations with tools to adapt, optimize, and thrive in a more sustainable future.