3 paths to a sustainable energy strategy

3 paths to a sustainable energy strategy

Increased share of renewable energy, optimised energy output and more flexible electrical devices that can be controlled according to when renewable energy is available. There's no 'either/or' if you want to maximise your impact.

Here are three good places to start if your company has ambitions for a future-proof energy strategy that can help accelerate the green transition and boost your competitiveness.

Remember, an ambitious sustainable energy strategy is not a question of 'either or'. The greatest possible impact is achieved by thinking holistically. You can do so in close collaboration with Mind Energy's specialists, who have extensive experience in navigating a changing market and advising you on customised solutions that best combine sustainability with your price and risk profile.

1. Switch to renewable energy

There are two main ways to increase the share of renewable energy in your overall energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint. One is self-generation, such as your own solar and wind power plants, perhaps with batteries for local power storage. The second is to make sure that the electricity you consume via the grid is produced from renewable energy sources.

Factors that can be included in an energy strategy that promotes sustainability:

• PPA agreements. With a Power Purchase Agreement, your company ensures that in the current financial year, renewable energy is produced from the electricity grid corresponding to your consumption. If you're even more ambitious and want to go all-in on sustainable power, you can build a monthly/hourly match into the PPA. This way you increase the level of documentation by ensuring that the amount of renewable energy matches your total monthly consumption or actual consumption hour by hour.
  

• GoOs. Stands for "Guarantees of Origin" and are certificates proving that a given amount of electricity is produced from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, water or biogas.
  

• Demand/response. Can optimise the company's energy consumption according to when the most electricity from renewable energy sources is available. This increases flexibility and reduces the use of fossil fuels consumed by the energy system when there is no more renewable energy left. All flexibility is good for the system's overall ability to run on as much renewable energy as possible, like solar and wind.

2. Optimise energy efficiency

By reducing your organisation's overall energy consumption, you have the opportunity to reduce both your carbon footprint and your costs. At Mind Energy, we collaborate with some of the Nordic region's leading players in energy management, energy optimisation and ISO-certified Energy Management Systems. That's why we can help you increase your consumption of renewable and sustainable energy while optimising consumption.

Factors that can be included in an energy strategy promoting sustainability:

• Energy audit*. An energy audit is a systematic review of the energy consumption of a company's buildings and production. The purpose is to provide an overview of – and suggestions for – potential savings and efficiency improvements.
  

• Modernisation of consumer devices. Modern devices such as heat pumps and electric boilers that replace oil/gas boilers and LED lighting not only use less power, but can also be controlled according to different parameters, such as when the most renewable energy is available in the grid.
  

• Status calculation. At Mind Energy, we can make a status calculation showing how much of your current energy consumption currently comes from renewable energy production, such as solar and wind. It can help you decide what and how much needs to change to fulfil your energy strategy goals for sustainability.

* Mandatory for larger companies (250+ employees and turnover of at least €50 million) under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

3. Think electric

By 'thinking electric' when it comes to a sustainable energy strategy, companies can prioritise choosing power from renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint, instead of fossil fuels like oil, coal or gas. It's a future-proof strategy because electricity will be a key form of energy in the coming decades, where innovative flexible solutions will increasingly be an advantage in an electricity market characterised by greater volatility.

Factors that can be included in an energy strategy promoting sustainability:

• Environmentally friendly electricity. In addition to an electricity contract with Mind Energy, the company has the option of ensuring that guarantees of origin are purchased, issued and verified in accordance with the international rules for renewable energy trading (RECS certificates). This way, you can ensure (and document) that the desired portion of your company's power consumption is covered by energy from renewable sources.
  

• Electric vehicles and heat pumps. Electrify your vehicle fleet, set up your own charging infrastructure and replace fossil fuels for heating and production with electric heat pumps. This makes it easier to document and manage the share of sustainable energy, which can be precisely measured and optimised.