GRI 305-1, GRI 305-2, GRI Sector disclosure EU12
In addition to electricity consumption, the vehicles in the fleet, which are indispensable for comprehensive coverage of our extensive grid area and quick access to our systems, also impact the carbon footprint. In 2019, these vehicles produced 1,351 tons of CO2. 170 tons of CO2 were saved compared to the prior year (prior-year figure: 1,521 tons of CO2). As part of the sustainability initiative "Act Now", 50Hertz set the objective of achieving a zero-emission vehicle fleet by 2030. For this purpose, the existing fleet was analysed and a roadmap for vehicle exchange was developed, including supporting measures, such as the creation of the required charging infrastructure at the administration locations.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is now used as insulation and switching gas for gas-insulated high-voltage switchgears. It has great electrical properties, is non-toxic and also very stable in the chemical sense. But: The greenhouse potential per unit of SF6 is 23,000 times higher than CO2. Thus, SF6 is used in a close circuit in switchgears, as a result of which emissions into the environment are almost fully eliminated. The pressure vessels are always under technical monitoring for potential leakage. Despite all of these protective measures, a natural leakage due to the seal technology and the necessary gas handling cannot be avoided entirely. According to the voluntary commitment of SF6 producers and users, the total SF6 loss rate in Germany may only come to 0.6%; at 0.2%, the loss rate of 50Hertz was significantly below this amount. 50Hertz generally takes a very sensible and responsible approach to transporting, storing and using this technical gas, and strives for an alternative solution. However, at present, there is no alternative to SF6 available on the market that is fit for use for 220 and 380 kV switchgears. For this reason, 50Hertz is promoting a research project at ETH Zurich alongside 13 other companies. This project aims to systematically examine alternative gases in terms of their suitability as insulation and switching gases for switchgears. The research programme will run for three years. In the new Charlottenburg transmission substation, an operating switchgear was tested with an alternative gas for the first time.
Various modes of transport are used for business trips. In the reporting year, air travel accounted for 436 tons of CO2 equivalents. In addition, our employees travelled by long-distance trains operated by Deutsche Bahn. According to Deutsche Bahn, long-distance train journeys are to be considered carbon neutral.
The service provider atmosfair compensated for the total CO2 emissions from aviation for the second time and for the minor SF6 losses for the first time in the reporting year 2020. While the construction and operation of a wind farm in Nicaragua was supported in the prior year, the compensation measures are aimed at promoting a photovoltaic plant in Senegal in 2020. The project is in keeping with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 17).
In the reporting year, the direct (scope 1) and indirect HGH emissions (scope 2) were included in the balance sheet for the third time.