Energy efficiency & climate protection network “Bayern vernetzt sich” sets savings target by 2026
„Bayern vernetzt sich“ – more than 20 companies from the ‘FfE Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Network’ met for the fourth time. At the premises of Siegfried Hofmann GmbH, the tool and machine manufacturer led the two-day program together with Hexpol TPE GmbH. The focus: the sustainable optimization of waste heat systems. Highlight: Together, the companies agreed to save 50,000 MWh of energy and 20,000 tons of GHG emissions during the network period.
Learning from best practices in waste heat utilization and discovering new opportunities: That was the goal of the FfE network meeting from September 25 – 26, 2024 in Lichtenfels. Based on the new requirements of the Energy Efficiency Act for the avoidance and use of waste heat, over 40 network representatives came together to identify optimization potential. In addition, initial considerations were made regarding potential heat networks – the basis for future, cross-company energy solutions from which municipalities could also benefit.
The meeting was organized by the Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft e. V. (FfE) and Energieeffizienz-Coaching e.K..
FfE Managing Director Dr.-Ing. Anna Gruber praised the commitment of the members on site, as did Andreas Hügerich, First Mayor of Lichtenfels, and Steffen Hofmann, Head of the Office for Economy, Tourism and Culture.
Dr.-Ing. Anna Gruber (Managing Director, FfE):
“Our network meetings are a key contribution to promoting energy efficiency and climate protection. Today, as a network, we have set ourselves the goal of reducing our annual energy consumption by 50,000 MWh over the next three years. We will also reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 20,000 tons. This will be achieved, among other things, through the construction or expansion of photovoltaic (PV) systems by several members, with a capacity of 20,000 MWh. The cooperation between the companies demonstrates that together we can develop innovative solutions that benefit not only the companies themselves but also the entire region.”
“We are proud to be part of this energy network, which allows us to validate and strengthen our own sustainability measures,” says Stefan Hofmann, Managing Director of Siegfried Hofmann GmbH. The tool manufacturer, which specializes in high-precision multi-cavity tools, has been using a modern heat recovery system since 2023. This system involves feeding waste compressor heat into the heating network. The co-host of the network meeting, Hexpol TPE GmbH, has also implemented successful measures: “We have been utilizing the waste heat from our compressors and vacuum blowers for many years,” explains Markus Schirrmacher, Operations Manager at Hexpol. “We look forward to sharing our experience in this area with the network participants.”
The energy efficiency network “Bayern vernetzt sich” is technically supported by the FfE. It enables companies to share their knowledge and benefit from the collective wealth of experience. Together, they implement measures to increase energy efficiency and contribute to climate protection.
