Overarching grasp of energy savings halves the energy needs in premises
Recent measurement results show that Belok's model for energy savings in premises, named Total Project, more than halves the consumption of electricity and heat, while at the same time being profitable for the property owner.
Beställargruppen Lokaler, called Belok for short, is a co-operative project between the Swedish Energy Agency, the Swedish Construction Clients Forum and 15 of Sweden's largest local property owners. Since 2007, the Total Project concept has been used in five office properties, three hospitals and two schools. Brostaden's Getholmen property in the centre of Skärholmen is the first and has recently released an analysis of the measurement results.
"The results show that we have lowered the energy consumption by over 50 percent. We have gone from a total energy consumption of 180 kWh/m2 per year to 80 kWh," says Bo Matsson, Environment and Technical Manager at Brostaden.
The great benefit of the Total Project concept is to include all energy saving measures in one package solution. The emphasis is primarily placed on technical systems such as the ventilation system, radiators and cooling system, and especially on operating hours.
"Performing individual measures gives worse results than Total Project. We are seeing that this so-called overarching grasp yields 50 percent more energy savings than if one were to look after the premises on a measure-by-measure basis," says Per-Erik Nilsson, the co-ordinator for Belok.
A further 15 projects are in the pipeline, which includes railway stations, terminal buildings and prisons. Using the concept for several types of premises is important for showing the market that the model actually functions.
"In five years, Total Project can be the leading manner of making premises energy efficient and thus reaching the goal that the Swedish Parliament set in 2006 of halving the energy consumption in Swedish buildings by 2050," says Tomas Berggren of the Swedish Energy Agency.
About Belok:
Beställargruppen Lokaler, called BELOK for short, is a co-operative project between the Swedish Energy Agency, the Swedish Construction Clients Forum and Sweden's largest local property owners with an orientation towards commercial premises, for example premises for schools, medical services and offices. BELOK was initiated in 2001 by the Swedish Energy Agency and the group conducts various development projects today centred around energy efficiency and environmental issues. There are no residential or industrial properties in the project.
