Energy efficiency in logistics: Why every saving counts
The logistics industry is under enormous competitive pressure – spiralling energy costs and regulatory requirements mean efficient business operations are more essential than ever. At the same time, the industry bears a huge responsibility: logistics processes and transport are significant factors in resource consumption and the climate. But how can cost-effectiveness and sustainability work in harmony? What levers are available to reduce energy consumption?
Nagel-Group is taking up this challenge and has launched a company-wide energy-saving campaign. The goal for 2025: a 10% saving in energy. We are joined in this interview by Lia Colene Wille and Silvio Weiß, Energy Manager at Nagel-Group, to take a look at the key aspects of energy management in logistics, the successes we have enjoyed in recent years and the ambitious goals for the future.
Silvio Weiß and Lia Colene Wille, Energy Manager at Nagel-Group, in an interview.
Why is saving energy such an important theme for logistics, and what is your view on this as energy experts?
We have to deal with significant energy consumption in logistics, particularly when it comes to cold storage operations and transport. We can use targeted savings and implement innovative, sustainable technologies to reduce energy consumption, significantly improve energy efficiency and help to secure long-term competitiveness. It is essential for Nagel-Group to strike the perfect balance between economic efficiency and climate protection.
What elements does energy management generally cover?
The main focus of energy management is on buildings and infrastructure, logistics processes, transport and renewable energy. It is important in all these areas to know the aspects and influencing factors relevant to consumption and to find and implement measures to reduce consumption or improve efficiency.
How has Nagel-Group’s energy consumption developed in recent years?
We have seen a continuous improvement over the past three years in our energy-related performance. The term “energy-related performance” is derived from energy management and describes the three key aspects of energy efficiency, energy use and energy consumption.
Several measures have contributed significantly to this positive development, including
- commissioning new, modern locations such as Schweitenkirchen, the high-bay warehouse in Nuremberg and the new cross-docking centre in Hamburg
- ongoing optimisation of our refrigeration technology through modernisation and targeted replacement
- expansion of photovoltaic systems and the use of innovative electricity storage technologies
- as well as many other localised technical and organisational improvements at our locations.
Why has Nagel-Group decided to launch an energy-saving campaign?
We have to reduce energy consumption in view of rising energy costs and our responsibility as a logistics company.
Competition compels us to act economically and sustainably, and the Energy Efficiency Directive puts us under an obligation to identify and implement measures to reduce energy consumption.
One particular challenge here is the fact that the logistics sector does not receive any energy cost-related subsidies. We must therefore develop independent solutions and implement them under our own initiative.
It will take innovative approaches and joint commitment for us to make a significant contribution to reducing energy consumption, strengthen our competitiveness and at the same time fulfil our responsibility towards the environment.
What are the campaign’s main goals? How do we need to involve employees?
Our locations have a great deal of untapped technical and organisational potential for improving energy efficiency. However, our many years of experience in the energy management system have taught us that important as sites themselves are, the contribution of each individual employee is just as crucial.
The -10% energy efficiency campaign aims to reach every single employee, whether in the warehouse, in the office or on the roads, with information material and a direct approach. With 11,000 employees in a wide variety of roles and professional groups spread across 130 locations, maintaining and continuously developing awareness of energy efficiency and sustainable behaviour represents a major communication challenge. We are convinced that this alone can unleash great potential for improving the energy performance of the sites.
Is there a system for monitoring energy consumption? How do we measure the success of our actions and ensure that they are effective in the long term?
We use modern energy management software that supports us in analysing and monitoring the energy trends of our sites and the organisation as a whole. The software enables us to track and document how energy consumption and key figures develop over the coming months, taking into account the campaign and various measures.
The campaign is an important initiative. However, awareness and sensitivity to the issues of energy, sustainability and the environment go far beyond a single campaign or specific set of measures. Considerate use of energy is a concern for all of us, both in our private and professional lives. Each individual’s commitment is needed for us to be successful in the long term, to reduce our energy consumption sustainably, to identify suitable measures and to put them into practice. This represents an ongoing communications challenge for our energy management team