Renault, one of the global leaders in the automotive sector, launched an ambitious project to optimize the technical management of its factories. Confronted with outdated systems based on wired infrastructure, the company identified an urgent need to transition to a more flexible and responsive wireless solution.
In this context, Renault chose to collaborate with WATTECO. Over 2,000 LoRaWAN sensors were deployed, including for the management of 590 sectional doors across 16 Renault plants in Europe, illustrating the scale and strategic importance of the project. This partnership has significantly improved the energy efficiency of industrial sites.
The Challenge
Modernize centralized technical management systems and improve the energy efficiency of Renault’s factories in Europe
The Solution
Integration of WATTECO LoRaWAN sensors, notably In’O models, to monitor and control sectional doors
The Benefits
Optimisation des consommations énergétiques grâce à la collecte des données en temps réel et la meilleure gestion des portes sectionnelles.
About Renault :
Renault is a French company founded in 1898, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and sale of vehicles. A major player in the automotive industry, Renault offers a wide range of passenger, utility, and electric vehicles, all aligned with a sustainable mobility approach.
The Renault group is renowned for its capacity for innovation, particularly in electric and connected powertrain technologies, and for its commitment to energy transition.
Testimonial from Carole Guyard, Technical Management Lead, Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency Division.
Improving Technical Facility Management
Renault faced a major challenge: modernizing the centralized technical management systems of its industrial sites, particularly to gain control over energy consumption. Existing infrastructures, based on costly wired equipment, limited the flexibility and responsiveness of industrial operations — even for basic actions like opening or closing doors. The goal was to implement a reliable, intuitive wireless solution that could seamlessly integrate with the existing control systems.
“One of the main challenges was transitioning to a wireless infrastructure capable of efficiently handling our data collection needs,“ explains Carole Guyard, Technical Management Lead at Renault.
Conventional wireless systems had several limitations, including high installation costs, difficulties related to replacing damaged cables, and technical constraints requiring intervention from automation specialists.
“It was essential to find a reliable alternative to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which did not meet our requirements,” notes Carole Guyard.
Low-Power Consumption Sensors
WATTECO proposed its LoRaWAN sensors, particularly the In’O models, to monitor sectional doors and collect critical data. These sensors, based on the LoRa protocol, offer reliable communication and low-power consumption, making them perfectly suited to Renault’s industrial requirements.
To date, Renault has deployed over 2,000 WATTECO sensors, including In’O models for door control. About 600 sectional doors are set to be equipped as part of this initiative, enabling precise tracking of openings and closures, which enhances both energy performance and site security.
The sensors’ intuitive installation and ease of use enabled Renault’s teams to quickly integrate them into their daily routines, ensuring effective monitoring of sectional doors.
“What struck us right away was the simplicity of these devices. WATTECO’s sensors look like standard connection boxes, which made it much easier for our field teams to adopt them,” she continues.
Energy Optimization and Smart Sectional Door Management
Thanks to this solution, Renault optimizes its energy efficiency and enhances the management of its sectional doors. The sensors provide real-time control of door status, enabling swift responses in case of issues and reducing energy losses, especially in heated buildings during winter.
“Thanks to the In’O sensors, we can now monitor door status in real time: open, closed, in manual or automatic mode. In case of anomalies — such as a door left open or stuck — the relevant teams are alerted and can act quickly,” adds Carole Guyard.
In addition, Renault benefits from responsive and tailored technical support, as well as commercial flexibility, strengthening its partnership with WATTECO.
By centralizing sectional door management across 16 industrial plants, the automotive manufacturer has improved operational responsiveness and achieved substantial energy savings.
