Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim Plant: International Recognition for Energy Optimization Project
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Untertürkheim plant takes second prize in a field of 90 entrants
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Combined effects of many individual measures reduces CO2 emissions by 70,806 tons annually
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Employees' role is a key element of the project
Hanover, Germany, April 23, 2008
On April 22, 2008, the international Energy Efficiency Award 2008 was presented by German Energy Agency GmbH (dena) together with Deutsche Messe AG and the KfW Förderbank bank group as part of the World Energy Dialogue event at the Hannover Messe. The second prize goes to the Mercedes-Benz plant in Untertürkheim for its energy efficiency project.
Martin Rentschler, head of Inhouse and Production Services, Kerstin Dolny, head of Occupational Safety Management and Environmental Protection Management, and Thomas Hübner, the project manager, together received the award. "This prize will motivate us to achieve many more positive results, using measures that do not require major investments of resources," said Dolny. "Relying on a combination of many individual measures, our production location succeeded in reducing annual CO2 emissions by 70,806 tons annually."
The main element of the project in the Mercedes-Benz plant in Untertürkheim was the creation of an comprehensive energy management system, which was successfully implemented with the active participation of the employees and consistent, thorough monitoring. The project relies on a three-pronged approach that links various measures in the areas of technology, administration, and employee behavior. The key to its success was not revolutionary innovations but rather numerous small-scale optimizations.
The operating times for the supply units were linked to the facility management system for example, as a result of which the cooling and lighting operating times could be synchronized and adapted to actual requirements. Any systems not required during periods of non-production were switched off.
The core of the project concept was the active role to be played by all employees, who were asked to find potential for maximizing energy savings on their own, thanks to comprehensive communication system. Using specific "switch-off campaigns," for example, the employees were able to see the effect of actions that are more or less taken for granted, such as consciously turning off equipment and devices on weekends. The project's key measures in terms of technology were the optimization of the cooling, heat recovery, as well as ventilation and air conditioning systems.
The German Energy Agency has been presenting the international Energy Efficiency Award since 2007. The EUR 30,000 award is presented under the scope of its Initiative EnergieEffizienz (Energy Efficiency Initiative) to companies that implement outstanding projects designed to improve energy efficiency. The projects submitted are evaluated by a jury of experts, who take the following criteria into account: energy savings, environmental impact, feasibility, transferability to other companies, and level of innovation.
About 90 companies from around the world competed for the Energy Efficiency Award 2008. In addition to many entries from Germany and other European countries, companies from Africa, Asia, South America, and the U.S. also took part.
Energy savings of the energy optimization project
Energy savings
182 million kWh/year
Electricity savings
51.7 million kWh/year
Heat savings
130.2 million kWh/year
CO2 emissions reduction
70,806 tons/year
Energy costs savings
EUR 9.6 million/year
