Heat Waves: How They Affect Business Energy Consumption
Heat waves are becoming more frequent and more intense, and their effects go far beyond the obvious. Beyond droughts, a higher risk of wildfires, or lower agricultural output, they have a direct and growing impact on energy consumption and, therefore, on business costs. Since everything points to this phenomenon continuing to intensify, it's worth understanding how it affects businesses and what can be done about it.
What exactly is a heat wave? It's usually defined as an episode lasting several consecutive days in which a significant percentage of the weather stations in a region record maximum temperatures well above what's typical for that time of year. It's a phenomenon that's becoming increasingly common: while Europe experienced its first major extreme heat wave in the early 2000s, they've been recurring practically every summer for several years now, and something similar is happening across much of the United States, especially in states with warmer climates.
How do heat waves affect energy consumption? On one hand, the use of cooling systems (air conditioning, ventilation) spikes in both offices and industrial plants. On the other, a lot of industrial equipment has to work harder to stay within its recommended temperature ranges, which noticeably increases consumption during heat peaks. That rise in electricity demand also indirectly translates into higher emissions associated with electricity generation, especially in systems that still rely on non-renewable sources to cover consumption peaks.
How can the impact of heat waves on energy consumption be reduced? Organizations need tools that let them keep control of their consumption at all times, including in the face of external factors like a heat wave. Energy used for HVAC can carry significant weight during periods of peak demand, and with summers getting hotter, it's reasonable to expect that pressure to keep growing in the coming years.
That's why it's key to introduce solutions that help improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption without sacrificing comfort. At Smarkia, we work with an energy management system that applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to HVAC and cold chain processes. The platform monitors and analyzes consumption data in real time, making it possible to anticipate what energy demand will be needed based on various factors, including weather conditions, so that companies can make informed decisions ahead of time instead of reacting on the fly.
In real customer cases applying this approach to HVAC and cold chain management, observed savings reach up to 20% in electricity consumption associated with HVAC and up to 40% in cold chain operations—figures consistent with what's regularly observed across the industrial and commercial sectors. Companies like Repsol and CBRE, both Smarkia customers, have applied these kinds of solutions in their facilities to gain control over their energy consumption during the most demanding periods.
The data is clear: heat waves will keep becoming more extreme and more frequent, both in Spain and in the United States. That's why, at Smarkia, we keep working to help companies control their energy consumption, reduce emissions, and maintain the balance between operations and sustainability—no matter where the heat comes from.