As Skövde’s largest landlord, we are a major consumer of electricity. Throughout our portfolio, there are numerous elevators, pumps, fans, and systems that must function properly for our tenants to feel comfortable. Not to mention all the lights that illuminate entryways, hallways, and outdoor areas. The fact that we’ve long been working proactively to become more energy-efficient is therefore especially important this winter. So, what have we done to reduce our electricity consumption, and how are we affected as the situation changes?
Developments in the electricity market over the past year have created a great deal of uncertainty, confusion, and inconvenience. It is simply impossible to predict what kind of electricity plan one should choose. That is why it is important to stay informed about these developments and continually explore ways to influence your own situation. In the same way, Skövdebostäder is working to create the right conditions for the future, for both environmental and economic reasons. Follow our efforts to become an even more sustainable electricity consumer.
Purchasing Electricity
We purchase the majority of our electricity, and the process begins with the electricity supplier. To manage our costs and electricity purchases, we continuously monitor developments in the electricity market so that we can make adjustments to the company’s portfolio of electricity contracts.
For 2022, 85% of our electricity price has been hedged. As a result, we have not been significantly affected by developments in the electricity market. In the 2023 portfolio, 75% of the electricity price is hedged, which makes us somewhat more dependent on electricity price trends. We can continuously make adjustments to our portfolio and hedge more or less of the electricity price. It is important that we actively monitor developments in the electricity market.
Solar cells
Skövdebostäder has long been at the forefront of renewable energy, which today pays off both environmentally and financially. With 522 kWp (kilowatt peak) of installed capacity spread across 12 areas, the solar panel initiative meets a significant portion of the total energy demand. The electricity produced powers, among other things, the properties’ washing machines, elevators, lighting, and hot water systems.
Of course, we plan to install more systems in the future. Depending on the property’s location, the direction the roof faces, the size of the roof area, and the condition of the roof, some properties are more suitable than others.
Solar panels perform less efficiently at temperatures above 25 degrees. Fall and spring are therefore good times for solar panels. Winter, of course, poses a challenge for production due to the low number of hours of sunlight. But solar panels come with an inverter. The inverter’s primary function is often simply to convert direct current to alternating current, so that the electricity produced by the solar panels can be used in the building. However, some inverters can also perform phase balancing, which has proven to be even more important than previously thought.
Phase Balancing
The power cable that supplies a property with electricity consists of three conductors, or phases. This means that the electricity is distributed among the different conductors so as not to overload any single conductor. However, depending on what and how much is connected to the conductors, one conductor may carry a much heavier load than the others. This means that the fuse protecting the electrical system from overload must be larger than necessary. A larger fuse results in a higher power rate from the utility company, which leads to higher electricity costs.
We invest in inverters for our solar power systems that can also balance phases, which means they redistribute the load within the system. This balances out the power output, allowing the property to avoid power spikes that could lead to both higher costs and an increased risk of overloading.
Battery
One problem with solar panels is that they produce the least electricity when it is needed the most. In the morning, when many people are showering, using elevators, and going about their daily activities, and in the evening, when most residents are cooking, there is often too little sunlight for the solar panels to supply enough electricity. This problem, along with several others, can be addressed with the help of a building battery.
On days when the sun is at its brightest, the solar cells can generate electricity, which is then stored in the battery for later use.
In the near future, Skövdebostäder will invest in building batteries to complement the solar panel systems already installed in its housing stock. This will make the solar panels an even better source of energy, while also reducing the load on the entire city grid by using the electricity stored in the batteries instead.
Operational Optimization
Each property is equipped with a modern system for controlling the heating in various ways.
This is a sub-control panel connected to, among other things, the heating system and the fuse box. The sub-control center can also be connected to a central control and regulation center, which in turn is connected to the internet. With the right controls, the building can be maintained at the correct temperature, so you, as a tenant, won’t have to air out the space or feel cold.
The control system can be based on outdoor or indoor temperature. If you choose to control the system based on the outdoor temperature, it can get too hot in the apartments on days when it’s cold outside but the sun is shining through the apartment windows. If, instead, the system is controlled based on both the indoor and outdoor temperatures, it knows how warm it is inside the apartments and can immediately adjust the heating accordingly. This results in more even and efficient heating.
If operational problems arise, the system automatically triggers an alarm. An operations technician can then quickly investigate the problem and ensure that operations resume. This prevents the system from having to run at full capacity to make up for the heat loss that occurred during the shutdown.
Laundry Rooms
Typically, the washing machine heats the water used to wash the clothes using an electric heating element inside the machine. This takes a long time and isn’t very energy-efficient. Instead, we connect the washing machines to the building’s hot water supply, which is heated energy-efficiently using district heating. This way, the machine uses water that’s already been heated and can therefore complete its cycle more quickly.
Building Envelope
Every property is a unique building with different components. We assess what types of renovations can be carried out to make properties more energy-efficient. Typical measures include replacing windows or adding insulation to the attic to ensure that the heat inside the house stays there as long as possible before escaping. This results in a more even temperature throughout the building.
A building permit is often required to carry out renovations. Sometimes our building permit application is denied, which prevents us from carrying out the renovations we want.
Consumption
When it comes to energy consumption, you, as a tenant, play a key role. To achieve our goal of reducing our energy consumption by 30% by 2030, we need your help.
Sveriges Allmännytta has a campaign where you can find tips and advice on how to reduce your consumption. You can find the campaign here.
