Ready for the Energy Transition!
Reduced energy consumption along with the use of alternative energy sources is the essential key for us.
Our ports are bundles of energy, no question. Without electricity, diesel or natural gas, all ships, cranes and thus also the cargo would stand still. Less energy consumption and the use of alternative energy sources are for us the essential key to reducing our CO2 footprint.
The first energy audit was very clear. It showed us what we can and must do in our ports to make them more energy efficient. The factors handling volumes, weather conditions, process and plant technology and the behaviour of employees play a decisive role in our energy consumption. Accordingly, we are dedicated to identifying and implementing potential for improvement at all these levels. This includes, for example, the gradual switch to green electricity as well as the renewal of the entire port lighting inside and outside with innovative lighting technology and intelligent control systems. We also rely on optimised heating systems and energy-efficient drive technology for vehicles, equipment and facilities.
Energy Scouts with Efficient Ideas
In order to use their own ideas to reduce energy consumption at NPorts, six of our trainees have come together in 2017 for the IHK training course "Energy Scouts". They immediately started off with a number of good suggestions and a lot of drive in the ports. The aim of the training was not only to implement concrete energy-saving potential, but also to promote acceptance of the energy revolution throughout our company. The first assignments of the energy scouts, which focused primarily on improving lighting conditions, were also exemplary. Two of the young energy scouts converted the entire port lighting on the East Frisian island of Baltrum to LED. The LED lights are equipped with a radio module that allows convenient control and programming from the mainland. This allows the brightness of the lamps to be adjusted to the time of day and the ferry line's timetable, which significantly improves energy efficiency. In addition, we can now also check remotely whether the lamps have failed or require maintenance. The - "enlightenment" for Baltrum is just one example of the great commitment with which the energy scouts have inspired us ever since. We are looking forward to more ideas and have already started a new training cycle for more Energy Scouts in 2019.
Powered Up
Less emissions during work operations, this also applies to our vehicle fleet. In Cuxhaven, we are currently converting company-owned cars and vans to electromobility. In 2018, five new cars were added, which are now quiet and emission-free in the port. At the same time, we have installed charging stations at which the e-cars can be recharged in the port, naturally using green electricity! In the port of Emden we now generate our own solar power and thus avoid around 52 t of CO2 annually. With a total area of around 600 m2, the plant is designed to produce approx. 90,000 kWh of electricity per year. This corresponds to the average energy consumption of 24 German households. We use two thirds of the electricity generated directly for all electrical consumers in the Technical Service workshops. In addition, the electric cars in the Emden fleet are refuelled with solar power at an electric filling station. And when electricity consumption falls in the evening and at weekends, the electricity generated is fed into the grid.
