Steffen Holzbau is a Luxembourg company that was founded in 1993 and specialises in the construction of large wooden buildings. Known for its innovative character, the company employs around 150 people and is positioning itself as a committed player in the field of sustainable construction. In 2014, Steffen Holzbau took its first steps towards electric mobility by adding an electric vehicle to its fleet, thereby underlining its commitment to an environmentally friendly approach to professional mobility.
Idea
A greener and more cost-effective fleet
Steffen Holzbau’s main objective is to reduce the costs associated with managing its fleet while also reducing its carbon footprint. To achieve this, the company has devised a charging system for electric vehicles that prioritises the most frequently used vehicles. The project is designed not only to reduce transport costs, but also to improve fleet efficiency, thus providing a practical and sustainable solution to mobility needs.
Design
A charging infrastructure to match
To make this vision a reality, Steffen Holzbau has built up a comprehensive charging infrastructure to match the needs of its growing fleet of electric vehicles. This includes charging points for approximately 40 cars and one truck, as well as a smart charging management system that allows the company to optimise charging priorities. The company also applied for financial support from the state through a project tender. The installation of this infrastructure, in connection with the aforementioned charging management system, did not require any significant changes to its low-voltage connection. Employees benefit from increased driving comfort. The energy required to operate the charging stations is partly generated by the company’s own photovoltaic systems.
Implementation
A project without interruption of operations
The project implementation took six months, with only three weeks of on-site work. Daily operations were not interrupted during this time, so Steffen Holzbau was able to continue its operations without restrictions. The efficient installation was characterised by good coordination and adaptation to the operational needs of the company.
Result
Tangible financial and environmental benefits
This initiative has led to concrete and positive results for Steffen Holzbau. In terms of costs, each electric vehicle is estimated to save €2,000 per year. The transition to electric mobility has also reduced the company’s carbon footprint in terms of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25%, thereby strengthening the company’s modern and innovative image. With this strategy, Steffen Holzbau is positioning itself competitively in the sustainable construction market and ensuring that it is well equipped for the future.
Founded in 1968, this family business specialises in driver training and offers a wide range of services for obtaining driving licences for cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses. With branches in Echternach, Diekirch and Junglinster, the company is well established in the north-eastern region of Luxembourg. The company is committed to protecting the environment and strives to make its fleet as climate-neutral as possible.
Idea
Analysis of the CO2 balance
The company’s management has set itself the goal of preparing the company for the future in a sustainable manner. An initial analysis of the company’s carbon footprint quickly revealed that the majority of emissions were caused by the vehicle fleet.
Design
Finding the right electrification solution for your driving school
Several questions arose during the planning process. The main concern was the limited range of electric cars. Another uncertainty was the charging infrastructure. Since the vehicles cannot be driven to the company headquarters in the morning and evening, there is no central charging infrastructure at the company. Another challenge is that, for a manual transmission driving licence, the entire training must be done in a manual transmission car, while electric cars are classified as automatic vehicles. Currently, the ratio between manual and automatic vehicles is 30/70.
Implementation
The practical application of electric vehicles
In order to create the conditions for the electrification of the fleet, all processes in the company were digitised in a first phase. Subsequently, a test phase with the first electric car was initiated. With regard to the range, it quickly became clear that daily use was not a problem. Therefore, three electric vehicles have been added to the fleet to date. The public infrastructure is used to charge the vehicles. Some drivers have also agreed to charge the vehicles at charging stations near their homes in the evenings.
For the driving lessons required for a manual driving licence, the Diederich driving school hopes that the legislation will soon be adapted to allow the use of electric vehicles to some extent. In terms of financing, the company received a state subsidy for each electric car purchased.
Result
Confirmed positive feedback
The company, its employees and its customers are very positive about the use of electric vehicles. From a financial point of view, electric mobility also seems to be profitable. In addition, management feels more independent and well prepared for the future.
Electric mobility, a key element in the decarbonisation of your company
In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, replacing internal combustion vehicles with electric vehicles is crucial. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to the transport of people and goods keep rising within the European Union. This concerns all types of vehicles, and a transition is necessary to meet national and European targets.
Purchasing these vehicles in principle requires the installation of one or more electric charging station(s) and can be supplemented by the installation of photovoltaic panels.
Key steps and aspects to consider when planning and implementing this change are outlined below.
In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, minimising the use of the vehicle fleet and promoting soft mobility alternatives is crucial. This measure aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by reorganising the company’s general mobility.
Considering the country’s special situation in that public transport is free, employees should make more use of it by changing their consumption habits.
Campus Contern offers 16,000 m2 of office space for rent. There are five buildings in which around 450 people from 34 different companies work. The aim of Campus Contern is to provide innovative co-working spaces in terms of sustainable development and the well-being of their occupants.
Idea
Improving sustainable mobility
Campus Contern strongly encourages its tenants to favour public transport servicing the area as well as car-pooling to reduce their carbon footprint.
The idea behind this initiative is to encourage employees to take public transport to and from the business park, by providing them with the necessary flexibility once they are on site. Tenants have the option of hiring a shared electric car during the day for both private and business appointments.
This initiative aims to provide flexible mobility while helping to protect the environment. The company hopes to inspire other companies to follow suit and promote sustainable mobility.
Design
Sustainable mobility made easy : Car-Sharing via smartphone
The Car-Sharing system is accessible via a mobile app. The idea of introducing a car-sharing scheme for tenants was first put forward during a strategic discussion. Campus Contern is keen to promote the latest vehicles available on the market and, in this case, to encourage the use of low-emission vehicles at attractive rates.
For this project, Campus Contern did not want to manage the vehicle itself, so it is working with an external partner who will manage the vehicle, take care of maintenance and washing, handle usage and bookings, and much more.
Mise en œuvre
The effectiveness of Car-Sharing in our office space
A number of companies available on the market were compared. “Moovee” was chosen for its ease of access via the mobile application and its competitive rates, as well as for the possibility of customising the car to their image.
Once the decision had been taken to install this service, it was quickly put in place. Campus Contern first defined the parking space that would be reserved for the Moovee vehicle. Then they informed the tenants of the new service, and finally Moovee took care of the delivery and personalisation of the car.
The uptake of the service within the complex has been gradual, but thanks to information sessions, detailed explanations of how it works, along with welcome packs and advertisements on our digital screens, we’ve managed to promote its use within our community of corporate tenants.
Result
A gradual uptake of Car-Sharing
The uptake of the service has been gradual, as many tenants already have their own cars on site. Gradually, the move to use the car-sharing service has increased, indicating that information and awareness-raising are essential to promote this service within our community of corporate tenants.
DHL Express is one of the largest players in the mail order business in Luxembourg. Its core business is the delivery of parcels in a wide variety of areas.
The company currently employs 110 people in the Contern business park. The daily delivery tours of 40 to 250 km throughout the country are organised internally. The main building houses the administrative area and the logistics hall for loading and unloading the vehicles.
Idea
Decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet
The DHL Group is pursuing very ambitious objectives on an international level to decarbonise the entire company and position itself for the future. As part of the GoGreen Plus initiative, the Group is working to achieve these goals. The large vehicle fleet and the many kilometres covered for deliveries represent significant potential for optimisation.
Design
Cooperation with a leasing company and car manufacturers
DHL works with a leasing company and the car manufacturers Ford and Mercedes for the provision of their vans. These vehicles were specially modified by the above-mentioned manufacturers to meet the company’s specific requirements.
By using a load management system, a solution was found to optimise the use of the limited electrical connected load that is available. The 23 vehicles have to be charged in the evenings and at night so that deliveries can be made during the day without additional charging times.
Implementation
Integration of electromobility and adaptation of logistical procedures
To prepare for the deployment of new electric vehicles in 2021, charging stations were installed at the company’s depots. Over a period of about nine months, all vans with combustion engines were replaced by electrically powered vans. In a final step, the employees were trained on how to properly handle these new vehicles.
The challenges of the project were, on the one hand, the sometimes very long delivery times of the new vehicles (the originally planned rapid implementation of the project was therefore not feasible) and, on the other hand, controlling the maximum electrical connected load in such a way that the charging of the vehicles could be guaranteed on a daily basis.
The company is satisfied about the successful completion of the project to decarbonise their delivery fleet. This project will be further complemented by other initiatives:
installation of a photovoltaic system at the premises in Contern to offset the consumption of the electric vehicle fleet,
electrification of the management vehicle fleet,
launch of an internal communication campaign to encourage employees to switch to electric cars.
The CERATIZIT Group is a leading developer and manufacturer of hard material solutions for cutting tools and wear protection.
At its headquarters in Mamer, the company develops and manufactures highly specialised cutting tools, cutting inserts, hard material rods and wear parts.
The engineering group employs 7,000 people, including 1,200 in Luxembourg.
Idea
Addition of a Solar carport
As part of the company’s sustainability strategy, a solar carport was constructed. The project provides a combined solution for generating photovoltaic energy and providing an electric charging infrastructure for company and private vehicles.
An added benefit of the project’s design is the added protection for cars in the outdoor parking lot.
Design
Deploying a green strategy with the help of Enerdeal
Ceratizit commissioned Enerdeal to install, operate and finance the carport as part of the group’s ambitious green strategy.
The structural design is based on rammed metal pile foundations (up to 6 m deep). The panels face south.
After 15 years of operation, the ownership of the system will be transferred to Ceratizit, providing for at least an additional 15 years of solar production.
As for financial aid, the company participated in a call for tenders to obtain a “market premium” (guaranteed minimum price) for the reinjection of electricity into the grid for 15 years. In terms of project regulations, a building permit has been obtained from the local authority.
Implementation
12 months to project completion
The total duration of the project amounted to around 12 months, with the actual construction phase taking no more than 4 months. The work was divided between the construction of the carport, with the integration of the photovoltaic system by Enerdeal, and the installation of the charging stations by Elco. The operation of the plant will be guaranteed by a financing subsidiary between Enerdeal and Sudstroum, named “Sudsolar Energy Invest2”. The project entails an investment of 1.8 million euros.
Results
Electricity injected directly into the grid
The project to install an electricity generation system in combination with a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles can be summarized by the following key figures:
100% electric energy fed back into the grid
Approx. 442 parking spaces (10% electromobility)
Installed capacity of 1,320 kWp, i.e. 3,520 panels of 375 Wp each
Parking space of 6,200 m2 (covered)
Annual production of 1,400 MWh in 2022, i.e. around 638 tonnes of CO2 saved per year
charging points for electric vehicles
2 types of charging station: 11 kW for semi-fast charging and 60 kW for fast charging.
Control operating costs related to compressed air systems in the company
Compressed air is an energy carrier that is frequently used in many sectors, particularly in the use of production machinery and specific pneumatic tools. Despite its abundant use, it is a complex medium to control, resulting in high operating costs. In an unmonitored installation, losses during heat generation and distribution due to leaks can be up to 90 %. Compressed air costs can be contained by regularly analysing energy requirements and through technological monitoring. This measure is required for every new compressed air system.
Electric mobility, a key element in decarbonising your business
Electric cars are part of the solution to successfully decarbonising your company’s vehicle fleet. It is also essential to set up a suitable charging infrastructure within the company so that the logistics of charging can be managed internally. For greater autonomy, the system can be combined with a solar power installation.
