The energy sobriety plan: winning back kWh!

With a two-pronged approach consisting of data and usage analysis and raising awareness of the energy sobriety and efficiency challenges among all its people, the Group has been able to optimise its consumption and cut down on unnecessary kWh.

Interview with: Noémie Feldbauer, Energy Transition Manager

What are the highlights of Heppner’s energy sobriety plan, rolled out in 2023 for the second year running?

This plan relies first and foremost on a tool for displaying energy consumption (Deepki), as well as on audits of the sites’ energy performance. These optimisations are made possible thanks to the monitoring by our Deepki tool and the energy management service we use.

In the field, 50 energy representatives relay guidelines on heating, air-conditioning, lighting and administrative streamlining to each branch and subsidiary. Lastly, site closures and teleworking weeks (for example, during the holiday season) also help reduce our energy consumption.

What are the key results for 2023 and the next steps?

Across all sites, energy consumption has been reduced by 13% compared to 2022. This is partly the result of the relamping project currently underway and which will be rolled out to the rest of France and to our subsidiaries during the next 10 years with our partner, Le Studio LED. The next steps are to carry out energy efficiency investments to further reduce energy consumption. Of course, we will continue to improve data quality to optimise use of the Deepki tool.

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 2023, the following actions have been undertaken:

  • -13% reduction in energy consumption (electricity and elimination of gas) achieved at the Rosny site between 2022 and 2023
  • Roll-out of a LED relamping plan for branches not yet equipped, involving a total of 35 branches in France, at a cost of €2.5 million. This vast lighting modernisation plan is being carried out in partnership with Le Studio Led; it includes an energy performance contract, as well as circular management of the material installed, which will be either recycled or reused. To date, over 15 sites have already been equipped, representing 200,000 LED lights installed and 50,000 LED lights monitored. The initial results are convincing and even exceed some forecasts, with energy savings of up to 90% and improved comfort for Heppner employees.

 

Florian Alfonsi, Operations Manager, Le Studio Led

“As part of the energy performance contract, our teams of in-house experts guarantee to our customers fault-free operation of the infrastructure for 10 years, the luminous flux and, above all, the savings.”

This system will be rolled out internationally to the Heppner Group’s various branches and subsidiaries in 2024.

IT commits to a more frugal digital world

The IT Department has played an active role in the Group’s energy sobriety plan. In 2022, the energy consumption specifically attributable to Heppner’s digital technology (printers, IT equipment and servers) was measured and an action plan was put in place to reduce electricity consumption. To enhance understanding of the issues at stake, the entire IT team was trained in 2023 in Digital Fresk. This new approach includes prolonging the equipment’s service life, taking measures to prevent breakages, and rationalising the use of digital technology in day-to-day operations. As Mickaël Le Bras, IT Infrastructure Architect, explained: “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. From now on, we will integrate our suppliers’ CSR policies as assessment criteria in calls for tenders.”