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Taking place at an SMA distribution centre in Niestetal, Germany, the experiment involved lowering the temperature in the warehouse by at least one degree week on week to a final temperature of 16°C. A temperature reduction of one degree in residential and office buildings leads to energy savings of around six percent, with the savings predicted to be even higher in larger areas.
Staff were given MILWAUKEE®’s Heated jackets to keep them warm, which were powered by the by M12™ REDLITHIUM™ batteries.
These batteries where charged from solar panels on the roof of the building. Thanks to MILWAUKEE®’s next-generation design, these heated jackets are constructed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including harsh and cold jobsite environments. Each user-driven, ground-up design utilises an advanced heat technology system of carbon fibre heating elements that provide warmth no matter the situation. Thanks to innovative and functional garment evolutions, re-engineered materials and a total portfolio battery upgrade, these jackets deliver a superior run time of up to 11 hours of heat on a single battery – that’s just one charge of an M12™ REDLITHIUM™ 3.0 Ah battery pack.
Ralf Ruszynski, Energy Officer at SMA, was the original architect of the experiment, initially coming up with the idea of warming employees via heated clothing as a way of saving energy costs. His subsequent master's thesis on the topic to support the test has already received a great response from the wider community.
What did the results say?
The energy saving potential is great, explains Ruszynski. "A temperature reduction of one degree leads to around six percent energy savings in residential and office buildings. In a hall area like the one at Niestetal, with its 12.5 meter high ceilings from which the radiators hang, it could be even higher – a reduction of four degrees would reduce gas consumption by around 30 percent.”
According to Fred-Martin Dillenberger, Head of Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) at SMA, "We are very excited about the test results and how high the savings potential really is. With an annual gas consumption in the test hall of around 1,200 MWh per year, a reduction of four degrees could save us around 25 percent in energy costs.”
During the experiment employees were surveyed and suggestions for improvement were collected, this included the addition of extra items of clothing such as thermal trousers and heated vests instead of jackets. We deliberately didn't start in full gear," explains logistics manager Jens Huppach. “After all, the test phase is also intended to gain experience and try things out.
Plus, it’s not just the benefit of energy savings that has made an impact, workers have felt considerable benefits too, as team leader Daniel Hoßbach explains. "I think it's absolutely great. I can move about freely and always have my heat source with me.” He admits that he was sceptical at first due to being unfamiliar with the technology – something which soon changed once the experiment began. “Always having an even temperature without thick layers restricting freedom of movement is a fine thing” Hoßbach confirms. Employee Kevin Ahrend sees it that way too, "I think it's particularly good that I can determine the temperature myself."
The pilot test began in mid-November 2022 and ran until December 16th, with the indoor temperature not exceeding 16 degrees in the last week of the test. A comprehensive evaluation is now underway, hopefully paving the way for businesses to keep employees warm and buildings cost-efficient – and all powered by MILWAUKEE® innovation.
About SMA:
SMA is a leading global specialist in photovoltaic and storage system technology, creating conditions for the decentralized and renewable energy supply of tomorrow. Its portfolio includes efficient solar and battery inverters, integrated system solutions for photovoltaic and storage systems, intelligent energy management systems, charging solutions for electric vehicles and power-to-gas applications, and digital energy services.
SMA's technology, protected by over 1,700 patents and registered utility models, has won multiple awards. The parent company SMA Solar Technology AG has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) since 2008 and is listed in the TecDAX and SDAX.