Smart energy management: Drei Austria and Schneider Electric rely on LoRaWAN

Sustainability, transparency, and efficiency for over 1,000 locations of an Austrian retail chain

Drei Österreich and Schneider Electric Austria have jointly implemented a comprehensive LoRaWAN-based energy management solution that sets new standards in digital energy management. The aim of the project is to comprehensively record, analyze, and optimize energy consumption in over 1,000 stores, warehouses, and distribution centers of one of Austria's largest retail chains.

Challenge: Heterogeneous locations and lack of transparency

The retail chain faced a typical challenge for large branch networks: different building structures, long cable routes, and mature infrastructures made it difficult to centrally record and evaluate consumption data. Manual data collection and a lack of networking prevented precise energy monitoring across all locations.

Solution: Energy-efficient networking with LoRaWAN

The solution is based on LoRaWAN sensor technology and the nationwide LoRaWAN infrastructure of Drei Austria.

Sensors collect consumption data for electricity, water, gas, and heat wirelessly and reliably—even over long distances and through massive building structures. The data is transmitted securely and in real time to Schneider Electric's energy management system.

A central dashboard offers those responsible maximum transparency: consumption patterns can be analyzed, deviations immediately detected, and targeted measures to reduce energy consumption initiated.

Karl Sagmeister, Managing Director of Schneider Electric Austria:
"The customer can immediately see how much electricity and heat a branch consumes and during which periods. This allows targeted savings to be realized – a real step towards energy optimization and sustainability."

Partnership for sustainable digitalization

With this cooperation, Drei Austria and Schneider Electric are creating a forward-looking connection between telecommunications, energy efficiency, and sustainability strategy.

Wolfgang Briem, Head of Enterprise Sales & Technical Pre-Sales at Drei Austria:
"Our nationwide LoRaWAN infrastructure enables smart IoT solutions that are technically impressive and at the same time make a real contribution to sustainability – reliable, scalable, and energy-efficient."

The partnership shows how modern IoT and LoRaWAN technologies are becoming a key factor in sustainable digitalization. For retail—and many other industries—this opens the way to greater transparency, lower consumption, and a consistently data-driven energy future.

About Drei Austria

Drei Austria is a leading telecommunications provider with a nationwide LoRaWAN network for IoT applications in industry, energy, infrastructure, and smart cities.

About Schneider Electric Austria

Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy management and automation solutions, supporting companies in their digital and sustainable transformation.