Calculation of greenhouse gas emissions
Celle, 20 June 2011 – Berkefeld calculates the carbon footprints of its water
treatment plants. With this initiative, the subsidiary of Veolia Water Solutions &
Technologies aims to drive ahead the use and further development of more
energy-efficient technologies in the interest of its customers. For the reduction
of energy consumption and thus the CO2 greenhouse gas spares the environment and maximises the economic benefits of water treatment plants.
What, for example, in the UK is already standard in public invitations to tender and in
many international industrial companies an integral part of their corporate goals, is
now also playing a growing role in Germany: the carbon footprint. This is the entirety
of the greenhouse gas emissions that are caused directly or indirectly by a person, a
company, a product or an incident. Greenhouse gas emissions are specified in CO2
tons equivalents.
What is the carbon footprint - how is it calculated
The Berkefeld water technology experts ascertain the carbon footprint of various
solutions for water or wastewater treatment plants. "Thereby we base ourselves on
the overall balance for carbon as it is gathered by municipalities, companies and
organisations around the world," says carbon footprint expert Darina Leinhos. "In
addition, we take account of factors specific to projects and applications." The engineer is the company's interface between Sales and Process Engineering on all questions to do with the carbon footprint calculation.
Analyse and reduce CO2 costs
Due to the calculation of the carbon footprint, the total emission of greenhouse gases
can be ascertained over the entire life cycle of water treatment plants. "The lion's
share of the greenhouse gas emissions occurs during the operation of the plants,
while the proportion accounted for by building them is rather small," Darina Leinhos
says. The need for energy and the consumption of dosing chemicals are in particular
the main magnitudes of influence for operating costs and CO2 emissions. On the
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The carbon footprint in water treatment
basis of data gained, various treatment systems and solutions can be compared with
pointed out to the operators of the plants.
Thus, companies can invest in water treatment solutions that stand out for their lower
operating costs over the entire life cycle of the plants and minimise the financial risks
with regard to direct or indirect CO2 costs. For in the final analysis the application of a
CO2-efficient technology means a lower dependence on fossil energy sources that
are becoming scarce, rising raw materials prices and statutory constraints and taxes.
Berkefeld offers on its Website the opportunity to ask questions about carbon footprints, request further information or a calculation of the carbon footprint of a particular water treatment plant:
http://www.berkefeld.com/en/sustainability
Picture 1:
The calculation of the carbon
footprint takes account of the
entire life cycle of a water
treatment plant.
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each other and savings measures and the associated costs and benefits can be
take account of project-specific factors such as the
respective energy source," says Darina Leinhos, of
Berkefeld. (Picture Berkefeld VWS)
Picture 3: Key parameters for CO2 emissions in water
treatment are energy and consumables consumption.
Pictured: a reverse osmosis unit.
(Picture Berkefeld VWS)
Company profile
Berkefeld trades under the name VWS Deutschland GmbH and is a subsidiary of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies.
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS), subsidiary of Veolia Water, is a leading design & build
company and a specialized provider of technological solutions in water treatment. With over 9,658 employees in 57 countries, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies recorded revenue of €2.15 billion in
2010.
Veolia Water, the water division of Veolia Environnement, is the world leader in water and wastewater
services. Specialized in outsourcing services for municipal authorities, as well as industrial and service
companies, it is also one of the world's major designers of technological
solutions and constructor of facilities needed in water and wastewater services. With 96,260 employees
in 67 countries, Veolia Water provides water service to 100 million people and wastewater service to 71
million. Its 2010 revenue amounted to €12.1 billion.
www.berkefeld.de
Media Contact:
BERKFELD
VWS Deutschland GmbH
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies
Stefan Jakubik
Marketing Communications Manager
Lückenweg 5, 29227 Celle, Germany
Tel : +49 (0) 5141 803-174; Mobile: +49 (0) 151 12559226
stefan.jakubik@veoliawater.com, www.berkefeld.de
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Picture 2: "In our carbon footprint calculation we also