ITB aktuelt reports: "Cut energy consumption in half."

 They use 8-9 GWh less energy, almost without investing.

"– Focus!" says Pål Fredriksen at Trelleborg Offshore after cutting energy usage equivalent to that of several hundred single-family homes.

"The Galosh" still manufactures rubber products, more than 120 years since its inception. But now, the factory in Krokstadelva operates much more energy efficiently.

What began as The Norwegian Galosh and Rubber Goods Factory and later became a part of the Viking Group, is now under Trelleborg Offshore.

Keeping Watch

"Lower energy consumption helps us keep costs under control. Until three to four years ago, we used between 18 and 20 gigawatt hours. Last year, we ended up at 11.1 GWh," explains Terje Skogli.

He is the technical manager for maintenance, infrastructure, and processes.

Trelleborg has achieved this almost without investments.

"We have continuously focused on energy consumption. Our stokers, or energy managers, are responsible for controlling energy usage. The main task is constant monitoring and vigilance," explains maintenance engineer Pål Fredriksen.

New SD System

Several hundred thousand for pipe insulation and three million for a new SD system have been invested.

"It's the focus we've initiated that has yielded significant results. Not a kilowatt is used without the guys asking why," says Terje Skogli.

Usage was already tightened with the old SD system, but the new one includes many more functions. Generator running times have also been reduced. Complaints have been non-existent: Even though ventilation stops at two o'clock, it's fine until people leave around half-past three.

"We've also considered the number of people working in the departments," says Pål Fredriksen.

"Do you need 15,000 cubic meters of air per hour when only one or two people are working?"

Heat from wastewater

Stein Harald Hansen is one of those responsible for keeping energy usage low.

"We've made some relatively modest investments. Now, we utilize wastewater. It contains significant residual heat. We extract it using a fan coil unit into the buildings. This has allowed us to more or less shut down one generator," explains maintenance engineer and stoker Hansen.

"Instead of dumping the water, we use it. The only downside is that some birds were offended when it got colder in the river," he laughs.

"Then we focus on ensuring that steam pots and other equipment are in order at all times. We utilize some of the residual energy in the condenser before it goes to the boiler room. If it gets too hot, it vents through a safety valve right above the roof. Instead, we try to direct it straight into the building as heat," says Stein Harald Hansen.

Campaigns

The factory is now restructuring. A couple of buildings will be leased out. In total, there are approximately 25,000 square meters of production facilities on the 100-acre site next to the Drammen River. This includes 35 ventilation units.

"We monitor electrical and thermal energy more thoroughly. We also maintain focus by running campaigns on the information screens in the factory, informing about the monthly consumption," Fredriksen and Skogli explain.

Furthermore, there is better oversight on who orders steam and when, and there must be good reasons to run steam and ventilation outside of regular times.