Energy consumption

GRI 302-1, GRI 302-4, SDG7, SDG13

50Hertz fiercely supports the objectives of the EU and the Federal Government to reduce CO₂ emissions, in particular by expanding the grid, which allows an increase in the share of carbon-neutral energy sources, in addition to optimizing the company-wide CO₂ footprint. The second external energy audit, following the DIN EN 16247-1 was administered on a scheduled basis in the year under review in order to systematically record the energy consumption of our systems and administrative buildings. The energy consumption from 2018 was used as a base, and for the first time the new corporate headquarters, the 50Hertz Netzquartier in Berlin Mitte was included in the consumption figures. The planning and construction of the corporate headquarters were designed for sustainability in terms of energy efficiency, ecology, usage possibilities, and accessibility. The 50Hertz Netzquartier has been awarded the internationally recognised Gold Standard of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and the American LEED Standard (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). When it comes to new buildings, aspects of sustainable energy construction are already taken into account at the planning stage and implemented wherever possible.

Energy consumption 2019

_{Data source: External energy audit carried out in line with DIN EN 16247-1 in 2019.}

The breakdown of total CO₂ emissions indicates the clear dominance of electricity with a share of almost 95 percent. A noticeable reduction in the CO₂ footprint can only be achieved in this segment. The largest share of electricity consumption, 55,497.65 MWh, is accounted for by the 50Hertz substations. All switch gear together, in which only electrical energy is required, account for a total share of almost 79 percent. The locations with administrative and control tasks, such as the headquarters, the regional centers and the control center, which also require thermal energy and fuels, account for a total share of almost 21 percent. The warehouse and radio relay stations do not have a significant share of consumption. Total energy consumption relating to the amount of electricity transmitted has decreased somewhat overall from 0.0629% in 2014 to 0.0605% in 2018.

The energy audit has revealed optimization potential throughout the company, the feasibility of which has been carefully examined in terms of economic efficiency and sustainability. This included, for example, insulation work in the technical areas of the 50Hertz Netzquartier and the Teufelsbruch substation, as well as temperature adjustments to the air conditioning units from 21 degrees to 26 degrees in the technical rooms at the Röhrsdorf administration location. An energy-related refurbishment at the Bad Lauchstädt administrative location is also being examined.