Mr. Sidler, the energy controlling and operational optimization program jointly developed with your company was launched in 2012. Can you tell us a bit about the project’s origins?
Hansjörg Sidler: In 2012, Credit Suisse Asset Management’s real estate unit commissioned the World Wildlife Fund to examine the potential for cutting CO2 emissions in its Global Real Estate portfolio. The investigation came to the conclusion that a consistent implementation of technical measures could reduce the portfolio’s aggregate CO2 emissions by 44%. Controlling heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems – HVAC equipment for short – presented the most attractive means of achieving that reduction. The joint project subsequently initiated by Credit Suisse Global Real Estate, Siemens Switzerland and Wincasa started with the 64 buildings in the portfolio that exhibited the greatest energy consumption. They were connected online to the Siemens operation center in Steinhausen, Switzerland, where all key information is gathered.
What function does the operation center perform?
Networking buildings with the operation center enables their HVAC systems to be monitored and controlled and their heating oil, gas, electricity and water consumption to be displayed online. If measurements deviate from defined target values, the operation center takes immediate corrective action. This way, a high level of comfort in the connected buildings is continually assured while simultaneously optimizing the use of energy and water.
How are the energy reports for the roughly 900 other buildings involved in the energy controlling and operational optimization program prepared?
The energy consumption data for those properties are collected manually using the internet-based Siemens Navigator. The buildings’ energy efficiency is then examined. The energy consumption and CO2 emissions of all monitored buildings can be called up and analyzed at the touch of a button by all project partners. A benchmarking of all monitored buildings provides a quick overview of their energy efficiency status, which enables resources available for improving sustainability to be employed effectively and efficiently.