Efficient, award-winning energy use throughout the chain
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has created an agreement model in cooperation with the energy sector as an incentive for energy companies to act in accordance with the national Energy and Climate Strategy. Helsingin Energia received an energy conservation award in 2006, applying to all of the agreement sectors: district heating, electricity transmission and distribution, and the power plant sector.
The reasons for granting the award included the fact that Helsingin Energia actively implements the agreement with respect to its customers and within its own organisation. At Helsingin Energia, energy efficiency agreements are part of the environmental management system. Utilisation of new technology was also emphasised.
How is energy conservation carried out in practice?
In a diverse production of megawatts, it is in the common interest to produce electricity and heat while economising on the use of the energy sources. Efficiency and the reduction of losses in district heating and in electricity transmission and distribution are equally important. As a consumer, every one of us consumes megawatts; as an energy company, we cannot decide where or how much electricity, heat and cooling are used, but we can give advice on the most sensible way of consuming them.
Advice on sensible energy use
Helsingin Energia actively promotes sensible energy use. The Energy Advisory Centre for households has served our customers for over 30 years. Feedback reporting on electricity consumption has been available for our customers for ten years, and a property-specific consumption reporting facility in district heating has been in use for twenty years.
Combined heat and power production saves primary energy
Co-generation, or CHP, and district heating constitute a system with exemplary eco-efficiency. The efficiency of CHP at Helsingin Energia exceeds 90%, which is among the highest in the world. If electricity and heat were to be produced separately in a decentralised way, the fuel costs and emissions would be at least 40% higher.
Energy conservation in power plants and offices
Power plants have carried out energy analyses, and dozens of energy-saving projects have been implemented on the basis of these analyses. All Helsingin Energia’s places of business are covered by the Green Office scheme.
Energy efficiency agreements in 2008–2016
Helsingin Energia was among the first companies to join the energy efficiency agreements. These are part of the system promoting energy conservation in accordance with the EU Energy Services Directive, developed together with the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
Helsingin Energia has joined both the energy production and the energy services action plans. The agreements have been drawn up for the years 2008–2016. Helen Sähköverkko Oy, which is responsible for the electricity distribution services in the Helsinki region, is participating in the action plans for electricity distribution.
In accordance with the agreement, Helsingin Energia develops and introduces new services that promote energy conservation by its customers. The services provided by the Energy Advisory Centre for sensible use of energy comply with the activities endorsed by the new Energy Services Directive.