Alternative energy use and energy efficiency Archives

Circular factory development in Nyírbátor

Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Circular economy, Climate protection and adaptation, Waste management, Water usage

“Our circular factory development project in Nyírbátor is special because the environmental footprint of our manufacturing activities is undeniable, so in addition to economic growth, we must also pay special attention to introducing a number of environmental innovations to reduce or even neutralise this footprint.”
Tamás Ács, Managing Director

Company name:

Unilever Hungary Ltd.

Implementation Year:

2021 – 2023

Focus Areas:

Circular economy, Climate protection, climate adaptation, Waste management, Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Water use

Program Objective:

Between 2021 and 2023, the HUF 15 billion expansion of our Nyírbátor household chemical plant was carried out, with a strong focus on environmental innovation and circular industrial solutions, in addition to technological modernisation.
Our Nyírbátor unit is the Group’s most efficient household chemicals factory in Europe, covering 2/3 of the Eastern European region with products manufactured here. Circular solutions are inspired by the Unilever Group’s sustainability ambitions. This helped in the planning, implementation, internal reporting and impact measurement, as the ambition to go green was not unknown even in a small country like ours and thus had the support of the management.

Program Measures and Commitments:

The factory already has a number of green solutions in place, such as the fact that around 70% of the packaging material produced here is made from recycled plastic, that more than 30% of the waste water generated here is recycled in-house and the rest is fully filtered and cleaned in the factory before being released back into the environment, that 100% of the electricity from the grid will be generated from renewable energy sources from 2021 and that 75% of their entire manufacturing operations will be carbon neutral from 2024. However, the latest factory expansion and the construction of an automated high-bay warehouse have taken the practical implementation of the circular economy one step further. No waste was landfilled during demolition or construction, as it was either fully recycled on site or reused through expert partners. Unilever’s so-called “zero waste to landfill” strategy has inspired many innovative waste management solutions in the past, but the example of Nyírbátor is the one we are most proud of at the moment.
How sustainable is our solution? The inefficient treatment of industrial waste and its eventual landfilling is an outdated and polluting method, but there is an alternative. In addition, the increasingly stringent regulatory environment (both at EU and local level), rising transport costs, rising raw material prices are clear indicators of over-consumption of raw materials and the irresponsible and often wasteful use of the earth’s resources. Against this background, we believe that our solution is not only sustainable, but will also be the only viable option in the near future for all industrial players who wish to remain resilient in the face of various economic and environmental anomalies.

Program Impact and Results:

54 obsolete industrial silos and buildings were demolished at the outset due to the factory expansion, the remains of which were recycled in the following way: concrete rubble (13,000m3) was crushed on site and used for the foundations of the new hall building. The brick waste (6,000m3) was used by our partners for the stabilized soil of a solar park near Nyírbátor and for the stabilization of internal roads within the site. Iron waste (3000tonnes) was purchased from us for automotive purposes.

Keywords:

circular factory development

12.12.2024

Unique green strategic objectives in the small parcel business

Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Climate protection and adaptation, Reduction of air pollution, Sustainable supply chain

Sustainable and environmentally conscious development is a core value of DPD Hungary Kft. The continuous reduction of emissions is in line with social expectations and we are committed to this goal together with our customers, partners and employees. Many improvements are being made to make us an international reference for sustainable parcel transport.
Szabolcs Czifrik, managing director

Company Name:

DPD Hungary Kft.

Implementation Year:

2023

Focus Areas:

Climate protection and adaptation, Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Reducing air pollution, Sustainable supply chain

Program Objective:

The Geopost Group, of which DPD Hungary is a part, is the first global parcel delivery company to have both short and long-term CO2 emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi).

The scientifically validated target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040 puts Geopost on a clear path to becoming the international benchmark for sustainable delivery.

Short-term target: 43% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 (compared to 2020 base year)
Long-term target: 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2040 (compared to 2020 base year)
Ambition: net zero emissions by 2040, with 10% of remaining emissions offset by 2040

Program Measures and Commitments:

By 2025, 350 European cities will have low-emission vehicle transport and an 83% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

To reach this target, we will also convert the energy supply of logistics sites and offices to renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency.

Our aim:

70% of energy from renewable sources by 2030 (100% by 2035)
Increase the share of electric vehicles in the company car fleet to 90% by 2030 (100% in 2035)

DPD Hungary Kft. also contributes to the Group’s goal to make Geopost an international reference for sustainable transport and a leading supporter of the acceleration of e-commerce.

Geopost aims to provide direction to the industry. The small parcel delivery business in Hungary is highly competitive, so our aim is to stand out from the competition by delivering a high level of customer-oriented service and by implementing a uniquely ambitious sustainability strategy. It is increasingly important for our partners that our emissions reductions also reduce their carbon footprint. To illustrate these results, we have developed a tool that allows you to track the GHG emissions associated with the transport of your parcels in your “myDPD for business” account.

Today, more than 30% of our fleet of nearly 700 vans is already electric, but we will add 15 more by the end of the year until we gradually reach 100% by 2030. 5 new electric trucks will join DPD’s fleet early next year and 5 more in the second half of the year to replace conventional diesel trucks on some of the backbone routes within the country. This move will lead to a very significant reduction in GHG emissions.

We are also gradually converting the energy supply of logistics sites and offices to renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency. At present, our depots have a total of 400kW of solar panels.

Program Impact and Results:

The number of electric cars in the national fleet has increased to more than 30% in recent years.
Kecskemét, Pécs, Dombóvár, Komárom, Győr, Szolnok, Miskolc, Szeged, Debrecen – in these cities, only electric cars are used for deliveries.
By the end of 2023, 148 fast chargers and 2 electric chargers will have been deployed to serve our electric fleet in 8 locations.
We have also increased the share of our energy generation from solar panels, in our rented depots and at our parcel sorting facility in Budapest.
We purchase the majority of our electricity from renewable sources.
In the first quarter of 2024, we recorded a 21% increase in the number of parcels compared to 2023, but our GHG emissions did not increase during this period. This shows that our emissions per package have decreased significantly as a result of our measures and investments.

Keywords:

sustainable transport, SBTi, climate protection, electric fleet, GHG emissions

11.12.2024

Urban energy efficiency and energy community

Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Climate protection and adaptation, Consumer awareness, Stakeholders, local communities

“Our cooperation with the city of Szolnok goes back many years, and with this agreement we have taken another big step towards an even more sustainable future. This investment is particularly important for us, not only because we are implementing a unique, forward-looking community solution, but also because we have found a partner in the municipality who, like us, wants to actively fight climate change and is leading the way. We work every day for these shared successes and we want to be an example to others.”
Zsolt Jamniczky, deputy CEO

Company name:

E.ON Hungária Group

Implementation Year:

From 2022

Focus Areas:

Climate protection and adaptation, Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Stakeholders, local communities, Consumer awareness

Program Objective:

Energy communities are community, non-profit organisations made up of individuals, public institutions and businesses that offer a stable and environmentally friendly solution to energy supply.

The aim of the Szolnok Smart Municipal Energy Model is to build a complex, energy-efficient, innovative energy system that can simultaneously meet the needs of consumers, producers and the grid connected to the municipal network, and optimise the energy distribution and use processes between the different units.

Under the cooperation, 9 solar power plants with a total capacity of 330 kW will be set up at 6 locations to serve Szolnok’s energy needs, and energy communities will be established to further help use the energy generated efficiently. The investment will provide an environmentally friendly and forward-looking energy supply solution, helping to operate more cost-effectively and reduce energy expenditure.

Program Measures and Commitments:

The modernisation of the buildings of the institutions of the municipality has a significant impact on reducing energy demand and thus on maintenance costs. The project will therefore:

we are replacing facade doors and windows in 3 apartment buildings and 6 other institutional buildings (nursery, kindergartens, doctor’s office, nursery management office), as well as
we perform facade thermal insulation on approximately 4,883 m2 of wall surface and
slab thermal insulation on 3022 m2.

In these buildings we will also upgrade the heating, replacing around 82 boilers with new, modern, energy-efficient condensing gas boilers, including chimney restoration and replacement of radiators.
To meet energy needs, new decentralised solar PV systems will be installed on the roofs of 9 buildings with an installed capacity of 331.75 kWp, in the form of small household-scale power plants. We are also installing an innovative solar covered carport, which will provide covered parking for 15 cars in addition to generating electricity. We will also install five AC car chargers, each with a capacity of 1×22 kW, and a DC charger with a capacity of 75 kW. This will ensure access and development of electromobility for the population.

Both the municipality and E.ON are committed to maintaining and further developing the energy efficiency and innovative improvements created by the project. The current phase includes the integration of the designated buildings into the energy community and the maximisation of the members’ consumption of locally produced renewable energy. Future plans include the inclusion of other buildings in the municipality and the inclusion of consumers living in the municipality’s rental housing in the energy community. In addition, the continuous monitoring of consumption will provide the opportunity to balance consumption and generation in the future by using storage, which through further optimisation will provide the opportunity to increase local energy supply and thus cost-effective maintenance.

Program Impact and Results:

The project is in the construction phase, so final results are not available. Based on our calculations, the installation of nearly 5,000 m2 of modern insulation and the replacement of windows and doors will significantly reduce the heating demand of the consumers living in the apartments, while modern gas boilers will result in reduced gas costs and lower emissions. The more than 330 kW of solar PV systems to be installed will generate at least 400 MWh of electricity per year: a saving of nearly 100 tonnes of CO2. The 5 fast chargers and 1 electric charger to be installed will make a significant contribution to supporting the spread of e-mobility.

The project will have an impact on the entire population of Szolnok, reaching nearly 70 000 people.

Key words:

energy communities, energy efficiency, energy supply, partnership

11.12.2024

Natural Office Park

Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Biodiversity, Climate protection and adaptation, Employee well-being

“We believe that humans are a part of nature and feel at home where they have a direct connection with it. The Park was conceived in this spirit, and to this day, we continue to develop it based on this idea. We are building modern offices, a diverse natural environment, and a cohesive community. We believe that sustainability goes beyond green technologies and is about creating a world where everyone can thrive, recognizing the dignity and value of every human being.”
János Kocsány, CEO

Company Name:

Graphisoft Park SE

Implementation Year:

1998-2023

Focus Areas:

Climate Protection, Climate Adaptation, Alternative Energy Use and Energy Efficiency, Biodiversity, Employee Well-being

Program Objective:

The development of Graphisoft Park is a brownfield investment that started in 1996 on the abandoned grounds of the Óbuda Gas Factory. Our goal was to create real green environments for the office buildings constructed after the revitalization of the area, and to reintegrate the area into the urban fabric. We began creating biodiversity as part of the very first developments, and the natural environment has continued to evolve alongside the buildings.

The built-up area is 25%, while the green area accounts for more than 60%, with approximately 2,500 m2 of green roofs. Graphisoft Park represents a unique quality as a green and biodiverse office park in Budapest.

Program Measures and Commitments:

We don’t just provide office space for rent, but also offer an attractive green environment and a high-quality mental setting. The new business model recognizes that the natural environment of the office park is just as important as modern offices. There are three schools operating on the Park Campus. Creativity requires employees and students to be able to go outside, walk, and have communal spaces for exchanging ideas. The founders of the park saw the return on investment in high-quality work rather than just in real estate development. The creators of the park paid special attention to creating green spaces. Spacious groves surround the buildings, and the trees are taller than the houses. Multi-level underground parking lots were also built so that the surface view is defined by greenery rather than a multitude of parked cars. A lake in the center of the park and, of course, the uniquely quiet Danube riverside promenade provide unparalleled tranquility to the place. The desired result was for tenants to find a long-term home due to the uniqueness of the natural features.

Detailed landscape plans were prepared during the preparation of the office development. As a result, 14 hectares of the Graphisoft Park area were built and 8,400 m2 of land was covered with green vegetation. We acknowledged that providing parking spaces for our tenants is also an important consideration when choosing an office. Therefore, since the 2006 expansion, we have built over two thousand parking spaces underground. This allows us to create a green area ratio of over 60% in the park.

The rate of construction is only 25%, which is quite extraordinary in Budapest and even in Europe.

During the investment, approximately 300 trees were planted. In the center of the park, we created an artificial lake where we introduced fish. We also managed to lure back birds that had moved away 70 years ago.

Sustainability goes beyond environmental protection; it’s also about the human factor. Human relationships, community life, and people paying attention to each other are just as important a part of sustainable development as resource preservation. We pay attention to the health and well-being of those working in our buildings, providing them with appropriate conditions and creating communal spaces for this purpose.

Program Impact and Results:

Developed area from 1998 to 2023: 14 hectares, 82,000 m2 of office, laboratory, educational institutions
Built-up area ratio: 25%
Percentage of green area: over 60%
Number of trees: approximately 300
Number of bird species: 22 (Hungarian Ornithological Institute survey, 2021)
Number of tenants from 1998 to 2023: 180
Cumulative loyalty index (average lease duration from the start of the current tenants’ lease): 15.1 years
Number of employees/students working/studying here: 5000/1000 people
Occupancy rate: 97% (reduced by 2% due to the pandemic and home office)

Keywords:

Biodiversity preservation, brownfield investment, real estate development, communal space, community building

10.10.2023

Professional Guide for Next-Generation Solar Parks

Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Biodiversity, Climate protection and adaptation, Consumer awareness

„Our goal is not just to make the electrical energy green, but to ensure that the developed facility can be fully integrated into the local ecological cycle. That’s why we launched this initiative, which is groundbreaking in Hungary. Solar power plants have been considered environmental investments by developers before, but the aim of integrating power plant areas into nature and the comprehensive approach to this had not appeared systematically in the domestic market until now.”
Dr. Gábor Farkas, Managing Director

Company name:

SolServices

Implementation year:

2022

Focus Areas:

Climate Protection and Adaptation, Alternative Energy Use and Energy Efficiency, Biodiversity, Consumer Awareness

Program Objective:

Whatever we do, the preservation of biodiversity is our shared responsibility. Following this principle, we have developed a unique professional guide for the creation of environmentally-friendly solar parks in Europe, which we are implementing under the name ‘Lumen Park.’ Our goal is to combine the benefits of solar energy production with nature conservation and ecosystem preservation. In addition to the sustainability of social and environmental well-being, we aim to ensure the long-term sustainability and value retention of investments. With our partners, we want to set an example for players in any industry: the key is not to compromise nature for the sake of industrial production efficiency but to find solutions for the preservation of both.

Program Measures and Commitment:

Our goal was to create the country’s leading public solar parks in a way that:

simultaneously addresses the increased demand for clean energy,
meets the growing sustainability expectations of society,
maximizes biodiversity,
minimizes the implementation footprint as much as possible.

The Lumen Park professional guide was developed in collaboration with experts from seven organizations. We reached out to potential partners at the beginning of 2020, making a concerted effort to engage a broad spectrum of industry stakeholders. The following were invited:

Engineering design firms,
Contractors,
Operators,
Small and large companies,
Environmental service providers,
NGOs (non-governmental organizations),
National parks.

The English version of the professional guide was completed in 2022, and for this occasion, we invited internationally renowned ecological researcher Hannah Montag to a professional consultation. During a multi-day workshop, we shared our findings and insights. We are currently continuing our collaboration with our partners, primarily focused on promoting the publication.

The professional guide is fundamentally built upon international research findings. It serves educational purposes by presenting the expected positive environmental impacts of solar parks, thereby educating local stakeholders. However, there were no concrete recommendations or toolkits available to achieve or potentially amplify these positive results. Based on the evaluation of international research findings, the company’s experts concluded that a solar park should be viewed as a fallow agricultural field. By applying tools that have been successfully tested in ecological agriculture, such a professional guide can be created for industry use, enabling the establishment of high-value green energy investments. This approach ultimately proved to be unique on an international level, enriching the international professional community with new ideas.

Program Impact and Results:

A professional guide has been created (in English and Hungarian) that allows for the maximization of the positive ecological and environmental impacts of solar panels, thus enabling the production of truly sustainable and clean energy.

The professional guide is actively downloaded by energy and environmental experts, educators, and laypersons from Hungary and all over the world. Based on feedback, national parks are actively using the guide when granting permits for solar parks. After the completion of solar parks, ongoing monitoring continues, so within a few years, there will be precise domestic information about the impact of solar parks on biodiversity.

Keywords:

solar energy, solar park, guide

04.10.2023

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