ENGIE Refrigeration embraces AR: Greater efficiency for chillers and heat pumps

In 2017, ENGIE Refrigeration was one of the first companies in the cooling and heating market to integrate augmented reality into its business processes – and has since systematically developed and expanded this approach. This technological leadership is now paying direct dividends for customers: they receive more precise refrigeration and heating solutions and benefit from shorter project durations. Jochen Hornung, Managing Director of
ENGIE Refrigeration, says: “As pioneers in the cooling and heating sector, we at
ENGIE Refrigeration have been relying on augmented reality for many years and have thereby built up a technological lead that offers our customers decisive advantages. For us, AR is no longer a future trend, but a strategic decision.”

Specific customer benefits through AR technology

The AR implementation at ENGIE Refrigeration is based on Microsoft HoloLens 2 in combination with Hololight Space software and delivers measurable benefits for customers. To this end, the refrigeration and heating specialist based in Lindau on Lake Constance has been working with Hololight – a specialist in AR and VR software for industrial companies – from the very outset. Together, the two partners have developed bespoke AR solutions for all business processes, focusing on added value for ENGIE Refrigeration and its customers. For instance, the AR-supported presentation at ENGIE Refrigeration enables more precise coordination of machine configuration as early as the planning phase. Complex technical products become tangible for customers without the need for costly prototypes or on-site visits. As a result, ENGIE Refrigeration offers bespoke cooling and heating solutions that precisely meet customer requirements. During the development phase, the three-dimensional visualisation of complex products leads, for example, to better design solutions and thus to more reliable chillers and industrial heat pumps. Customers therefore benefit from fewer reworks and earlier project completion. Furthermore, AR-supported quality inspection at ENGIE Refrigeration ensures high manufacturing standards: digital target values are directly compared with real components, enabling deviations to be identified at an early stage.

Quality advantage through digital precision

Building on the successful implementation to date, ENGIE Refrigeration is currently planning the further expansion of AR applications in production, service and logistics. The focus here is on additional customer benefits such as optimised assembly processes and even more efficient service and maintenance work. The aim is to extend the company’s lead in technological leadership within the international refrigeration and heating market and thereby further strengthen its competitive position: “At ENGIE Refrigeration, our aim is to continuously improve the efficiency and quality of our chillers and industrial heat pumps through innovative technologies such as augmented reality, and to offer our customers excellence in cooling and heating,” emphasises Jochen Hornung. “AR technology enables us to shorten development times, identify faults at an early stage and deliver even more precise solutions to our customers. In doing so, we are setting new standards in the industry.”