Energy saving and energy efficiency
Nuon aims to acquire a leading position in achieving energy savings by clients and further improvement of energy efficiency in our energy supplies.
Research shows that people waste an average of 30% of their daily energy consumption without realising it. We can stop this energy wastage without any loss of comfort. The same applies for corporate clients.
Residue heat from power plants is used efficiently to supply heat and cooling. The natural cold temperature of surface waters is used for the supply of cooling. Nuon also works to improve the efficiency of installations, so that as little energy as possible is lost.
Energy wastage
We help consumers by providing products and services to prevent energy wastage and thereby reduce their monthly outlay. We achieve this by focusing on energy advice and energy-saving products such as high-efficiency boilers and home insulation. Since 2008 we have been carrying out a nationwide campaign to combat energy wastage. Part of this is the Wastage Check, which enables people to get an online picture of the energy they are wasting. Customers can get tips on how to save energy via the website www.nuon.nl/verspillingscheck.
In addition, we give our business customers energy advice. Through our engineering subsidiary Ebatech we offer them a complete package of services in the field of installation technology and energy savings. We thereby help our customers to make their business operations more sustainable and at the same time to reduce their costs. Not only are technical measures examined but also organisational and behavioural measures. Furthermore, we apply this knowledge to assist municipalities in formulating their energy saving policies.
Heating and cooling
The use of residue heat and cooling makes an important contribution towards meeting the energy needs of private individuals and businesses, in ways that help to reduce CO2 emissions. Our current use of residue heat curbs the use of fossil fuels, resulting in an annual saving of more than 100 million m3 of natural gas and a reduction in CO2 emissions comparable to the annual emissions of about 50,000 cars.
Cold water, at around 5 to 6° C, is extracted from the beds of lakes such as the Ouderkerkerplas and used to cool the water in the distribution network. This in turn is used to cool customers’ rooms, computers and servers.
Efficiency of power plants
We operate existing installations on the basis of the best available technologies. We also ensure that we obtain and/or retain licenses for the European Directive for Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) standards. This Directive requires companies to control contamination using the best available technologies, minimise waste and use as little energy and as few raw materials as possible.
We also work constantly to improve the yield of our power plants, thereby ensuring the most efficient use of these plants.
