Hydro UK 

Hydro, a global aluminium and renewable energy business operating in over 40 countries, have partnered with Synetica to roll out advanced energy monitoring across its UK manufacturing facilities. 

Hydro, a global aluminium and renewable energy business with operations in over 40 countries, has partnered with Synetica to roll out advanced energy monitoring across its UK manufacturing facilities. The deployment supports Hydro’s wider drive to improve operational efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and meet its global sustainability objectives.

Hydro’s UK operations are part of a complex industrial network where energy demand is both significant and varied — from high-power manufacturing processes to supporting systems such as heating, cooling, and compressed air. To manage this complexity, Hydro selected Synetica to provide energy monitoring solutions capable of delivering continuous, real-time utility monitoring, low-disruption installation across multiple facilities, scalable infrastructure for future expansion, and transparent data to support carbon reporting and compliance.

Following initial site assessments, Synetica supplied a combination of non-intrusive LoRaWAN-enabled sensors, covering electricity, gas, compressed air, and water usage. These sensors were deployed across critical points in Hydro’s operations to give visibility into consumption patterns without the need for complex infrastructure or major interruptions.

A key factor in Hydro’s decision was Synetica’s ability to deploy monitoring equipment without interfering with critical plant operations. All sensors are wireless, with battery-powered options, enabling rapid installation without cabling, shutdowns, or structural modifications. This has allowed Hydro to introduce exacting energy monitoring across its facilities with minimal disruption to production. The low-maintenance design also ensures long-term reliability and reduces the need for ongoing engineering support.

Energy and facilities teams at Hydro now benefit from direct access to detailed consumption data, enabling them to identify and address abnormal usage in real time, track energy performance by building, system, or process, and assess the effectiveness of energy-saving measures. The solution also ensures alignment between site-level efficiency and the organisation’s wider carbon reduction objectives. In addition, it supports accurate reporting for both internal stakeholders and regulatory requirements, providing the clarity needed for audits and sustainability disclosures. With monitoring in place across multiple sites in the UK, teams can collaborate more effectively, sharing insights and maintaining consistent data standards throughout the business.

Hydro has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, with a longer-term ambition of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Energy efficiency and transparency are central to this strategy. By deploying Synetica’s monitoring solutions, Hydro gains both the visibility and the control required to track progress and take action at site level, helping to embed sustainability into daily operations. The monitoring system will also support future initiatives, including capital upgrades, energy audits, and third-party certifications, as Hydro continues to evolve its UK operations in line with its global environmental standards.

“Hydro’s commitment to a low-carbon future aligns seamlessly with our mission to make buildings, facilities, and industrial processes smarter and more energy-efficient,” said Richard Laxton, Director at Synetica. “Our technology empowers energy and sustainability managers with the tools they need to gain full visibility of their data and drive impactful, measurable change.”

Richard Eaton, UK Sustainability Manager at Hydro, added: “In our ongoing effort to reduce energy consumption across our sites, we recognised the need for a monitoring solution that delivers accurate and dependable data. You can only manage what you can measure. While there are numerous solutions available, we were particularly drawn to Synetica’s wireless system due to the simplicity and speed of installation enabled by the LoRaWAN wireless link. Our facilities are highly complex, and running several kilometres of IT cabling would have posed major logistical and reliability challenges.”

He continued: “The Synetica system has consistently proven to be both accurate and dependable over several years. The team at Synetica have been incredibly helpful and responsive, supporting us through the deployment of some complex metering requirements and seamless integration into our in-house IT systems. The wireless setup not only simplified the initial installation but also provides long-term flexibility—allowing us to reposition equipment without needing to rewire. Hydro highly recommends Synetica for energy metering solutions.”

By adopting Synetica’s advanced energy monitoring solutions, Hydro UK reinforces its dedication to sustainable operations. This collaboration not only enhances Hydro’s ability to manage energy consumption effectively but also supports its broader goals of emissions reduction and environmental stewardship.