The energy management system at the Greiner Bio-One GmbH site in Frickenhausen has been certified to DIN EN ISO 50001 since 2013. The company, which is a technology partner to the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industry, recently had its recertification confirmed. In 2015 alone, thanks to a process of continuous improvement in organisation and technology, the company succeeded in saving more than 5 percent on its annual power consumption compared to 2014. While production increased, power consumption dropped from 13 GWh in 2010 to 11 GWh in 2015.
Good for the balance sheet
The company, which ranks among the leading providers of specialised products for the cultivation and analysis of cell and tissue cultures, began introducing an energy management system as early as 2012. All energy flows were analysed and valued so that steps could then be taken to optimise energy efficiency. Improving the energy balance while also reducing CO2 emissions was a huge incentive for the management team and workforce alike. As a result, the company succeeded in saving 650,000 kWh of electricity last year alone.
Still aiming for energy savings
Introducing an energy management system is fundamentally a voluntary undertaking, as there is still no legal requirement to obtain certification. Greiner Bio-One nonetheless long ago established its own energy team that identifies potential energy savings. In addition, the team trains and motivates the workforce to achieve the shared goals of cutting energy costs and thus contributing to halting climate change.
“The entire company has proved its lasting interest in greater energy efficiency. This idea is actually being practised here. In fact, employees are even implementing many of the practical tips in their private lives,” says Rudi Vollmer, Technical Managing Director of Greiner Bio-One GmbH. “We are therefore optimistic that we will also achieve our energy-saving targets of a further 1.3 percent per year for the next three years.”