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Energy Night Walks
Published on 27 July 2018
Denmark
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Energy experts conduct the night walk survey, in order to produce a tailor-made action plan for a shop or a shopping centre. The largest amount of energy savings can be achieved by practically no investments, or small investments with short or fairly short payback periods (up to 3 years), normally related to behaviour changes, changes in routines, and awareness. Experience shows that it does not have to be performed in the middle of the night: Despite the name of the method it is sufficient to perform the walk when the last member of the staff has left the building.
The most common saving actions are: To map the energy consumption, to switch off unnecessary electrical equipment, to reduce the indoor temperature during the night, to upgrade to energy efficient lighting, to adjust settings to avoid overcooling in rooms and refrigerators, and to install timers to shorten the hours of operation.
Energikontor Sydost, Sweden, have used night walks for many years. Internationally, during the years 2013-2015, a total of 123 shops, shopping centres and retail parks were visited by energy experts in Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and United Kingdom. The purpose was to support the 123 shops, shopping centres and retail parks to find and stop the energy usage that was not necessary, when the businesses were closed. Average savings of 10% indicate the potential in the retail sector.
The most common saving actions are: To map the energy consumption, to switch off unnecessary electrical equipment, to reduce the indoor temperature during the night, to upgrade to energy efficient lighting, to adjust settings to avoid overcooling in rooms and refrigerators, and to install timers to shorten the hours of operation.
Energikontor Sydost, Sweden, have used night walks for many years. Internationally, during the years 2013-2015, a total of 123 shops, shopping centres and retail parks were visited by energy experts in Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and United Kingdom. The purpose was to support the 123 shops, shopping centres and retail parks to find and stop the energy usage that was not necessary, when the businesses were closed. Average savings of 10% indicate the potential in the retail sector.
Expert opinion
The practice represents a fairly simple but effective measure to raise awareness about energy consumption and to identify “low-hanging fruits” to achieve energy savings with small or no particular investments. With savings of 10% on average there should be incentives for the business sector to implement the practice and the potential for learning and transfer is good. On a regional level, the practice could serve as inspiration as a part of a larger energy awareness effort.
Works at
WSP
Resources needed
Useful tools, available from the Night Hawks Web site (www.night-hawks.eu): Master handbook in energy savings, self-study course, Web calculators, Guidebook in Energy Efficiency, case studies, short videos.
Evidence of success
When performing the Night Walks the energy experts, together with local staff, such as management, janitors, and shop keepers found potential energy savings in the range of 5% to 50% of the total energy use, average 10%.
For example, turning off the plug-in coolers for sodas and water during night time, a supermarket saved 1,200€ per year, and the return on investment was less than a week.
For example, turning off the plug-in coolers for sodas and water during night time, a supermarket saved 1,200€ per year, and the return on investment was less than a week.
Potential for learning or transfer
Managers do not always realise that every day that passes without energy savings costs money. Results indicate that the potential savings are 18,000 EUR on average for a shopping centre or 2.9 EUR/m².
More than 1500 persons in the retail sector participated in trainings and increased their knowledge in energy efficiency and energy awareness in Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and United Kingdom.
The retail sector is very visible and there are plenty of opportunities for this business sector, not only to reduce the energy cost, but also to communicate the energy efficiency work and the results to their customers, the general public.
Clearly the local climate varies a great deal, but also the sizes of the available shopping centres, retail parks and shops differed heavily. Nevertheless the method of Night Walks can be adopted in small buildings and larger premises – as well as in households.
More than 1500 persons in the retail sector participated in trainings and increased their knowledge in energy efficiency and energy awareness in Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and United Kingdom.
The retail sector is very visible and there are plenty of opportunities for this business sector, not only to reduce the energy cost, but also to communicate the energy efficiency work and the results to their customers, the general public.
Clearly the local climate varies a great deal, but also the sizes of the available shopping centres, retail parks and shops differed heavily. Nevertheless the method of Night Walks can be adopted in small buildings and larger premises – as well as in households.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Samso Energy Academy
Denmark
Midtjylland
Contact
Engineer