The energy saving plan: winning back kWh!
Within the framework of the Tertiary Decree and anticipating shortages before the winter of 2022, Heppner implemented an energy saving plan. With a two-pronged approach consisting of data and usage analysis and awareness raising of these issues among all its people, the Group has been able to optimise its consumption and cut down on unnecessary kWh.
3 questions for Noémie Feldbauer, Energy Transition Manager:
- How did the 2022 energy saving plan come about?
First of all, we established a network of energy representatives in each branch and subsidiary. Today, they number 55 and their task is to relay awareness messages to employees on the proper use of heating before winter and the proper use of air conditioning before summer. An energy consumption charter has also been posted in all branches in several languages and site closures on weekends or during certain weeks have been planned with telecommuting. In addition, energy audits were carried out in 2022 at eight of our sites with the highest energy consumption, with data analysis and field observations by an auditor who then issued recommendations.
- What have been the results of these audits and, more broadly, of this saving plan?
Looking at specific cases, there are sites where the use of equipment has been optimised following the audit. For example, at our Gonesse site – which is one of the most energy-intensive – our gas boiler was overused. By increasing the use of reversible air conditioning in “heating mode”, we have reduced our gas consumption by more than 30%. This has slightly increased our electricity consumption, which has been partly offset by LED relamping. Overall, in France, the savings achieved were -14% between winter 2021 and winter 2022, i.e. 18,000 euros in savings (€0.1/kWh on average) and 119 tonnes of CO2 not emitted. This measuring and action approach to reduce energy consumption quickly yields results and has put in motion an investment dynamic in energy efficiency in all our branches. Today, the branches are evaluating and planning the necessary development or repair work in carpentry, insulation or changing their building’s heating system.
- What are the next steps?
In 2023, we will extend our audit approach to our subsidiaries – in Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom – and we will continue in France in sites that are less energy-intensive but may present priority areas for improvement through the use of our Deepki tool. We are completing this system with an energy management service, consisting of alert feedbacks and regular analysis of data and recommendations. The objective is to monitor and optimise energy consumption per square metre in all 89 of our buildings, with a total of 424,000 square metres in France… and soon beyond!
Energy efficiency
In order to reduce its buildings’ energy consumption, Heppner continues to improve the buildings’ energy efficiency, in addition to implementing its saving plan.
In 2022, the following actions have been undertaken:
- 25% reduction in energy consumption (electricity and elimination of gas) achieved at the Rosny and Noisy site (gas-powered forklifts replaced with electric trucks, relamping, etc.).
- 950,000 euros allocated for deployment in 2023 of a LED relamping plan for the branches not yet equipped with LED lighting.
- 3.5 million euros invested to double the surface area of the Niort site in 2022.
IT commits to a more frugal digital world
The IT Department has played an active role in the Group’s energy saving plan. In 2022, energy consumption linked to digital technology (printers, IT equipment and servers) at Heppner accounted for 12% of our total electricity consumption (scope 2, France).
An action plan to reduce energy consumption was put in place. In addition, in early 2023, the entire IT team will take part in a training session at the Fresque du Numérique (IT Fresk) workshop to share the fundamentals of a new approach that integrates extended duration and second life for equipment, including measures to prevent breakage.
Heppner’s Information Systems Department has fully integrated the Group’s CSR policy in 2021: we can now monitor our impact and that of our actions on the Group’s overall electricity consumption. In particular, we have rationalised the number of servers and printers in our branches to reduce our electricity and consumables consumption. We have also extended the service life of our employees’ workstations in order to avoid excessively frequent renewals. Starting this year, we will integrate our suppliers’ CSR policies as assessment criteria in calls for tenders.
