Vaisala – Renewable electricity
As a member of the RE100 initiative, Vaisala uses 100% renewable electricity, a target it achieved by the end of 2020. The goal covers all Vaisala’s facilities with significant energy consumption around the globe and was reached with the combination of self-produced clean energy in Finland and the Unites States as well as green electricity from local energy companies.
Purpose
Vaisala’s solutions help renewable energy operators produce sustainable energy efficiently which helps to increase the amount of renewable energy globally. We are strongly involved in the renewable energy industry through our customers, but we also see a clear benefit in advancing the use of renewable energy sources. We firmly believe in a future in which societies are powered by renewable energy, and we strive continuously to improve the energy efficiency in our facilities.
The private sector needs to be the driver of change and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Vaisala is a member of RE100, a global initiative encouraging the world’s most influential companies to make a 100% renewable electricity commitment within a clear timeframe. As a member of the RE100 initiative, we committed to using 100% renewable electricity in our facilities by the end of 2020 and achieved the target.
Results
Following the initiative, Vaisala took several actions to ensure 100% renewable electricity in its facilities with significant energy consumption. In total, 14 Vaisala facilities around the world are powered by renewables. The target was achieved with a combination of self-produced energy and green electricity products purchased from local energy companies.
Implementation
94% of the electricity that Vaisala’s facilities consume comes directly from renewable sources, mainly from wind power. This 94% comprises Vaisala’s largest facilities, where it is possible to affect consumption with self-produced energy and local green energy. For instance, Vaisala’s manufacturing sites in Finland and the United States use solar panels to produce clean energy.
The remaining 6% consists mostly of small office facilities where Vaisala is not the sole proprietor of the building and therefore cannot directly choose to consume renewable electricity. This remaining part was covered by purchasing unbundled renewable energy attribute certificates from the market. An energy attribute certificate is a market-based instrument that proves that 1 MWh of renewable energy has been produced in the same region. With these certificates, Vaisala was able to cover electricity consumption on those sites that cannot negotiate their own electricity contracts.
As the environmental and economic impacts of climate change increase, we need to implement different mitigation practices. We see that the private sector needs to be a key driver of change and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Therefore, I am proud to say Vaisala has achieved the important goal of using 100% renewable electricity,
Very fast implementation with a big impact. Easily replicable by all companies.
Vaisala leading by example. Clear commitment and concrete action combining energy efficiency measures with utilization and promotion of renewable electricity. Apart from own investments, and purchase of energy attribute certificates, the ease of replicability to switch to green power depends on the availability of renewable electricity offerings by local utilities (hence a lower score on replicability).
This planet act is dependent on the local availability of renewable electricity and requires investment.
Toivoisin että meidänkin työpaikka tekisi tämän.
Great initiative and challenging to perform for a regular company, but a must for a company with the vision.