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Zorgbalans is a large elderly care organization that offers care, nursing, home support, treatment and rehabilitation. Zorgbalans employs approximately 2,700 professional staff and 900 volunteers. Care is provided in people’s homes or in community centers and residential care centers. Zorgbalans has 11 residential care locations. The organization is active in Kennemerland, the IJmond and the “Bollenstreek”.
Zorgbalans first came into contact with PowerQ in 2005, when PowerQ took over the operation of two CHP installations. However, in 2011 the big challenge came. Rob Huijsmans, real estate manager at Zorgbalans, explains what this challenge entailed. Huijsmans: “In 2011, the Netherlands presented the 20-20-20 targets for 2020: By 2020, there must be a 20% reduction in energy consumption and a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 1990. As Zorgbalans, we wanted to at least meet this climate target. Besides cost savings, our social responsibility played a role in the decision to adopt the target: on April 1, 2011, Zorgbalans therefore set a target of reducing energy consumption per m² by 20% between April 1, 2011, and 2020.”
To achieve this objective, the “Energy Care” project was set up in collaboration with PowerQ. The essence of the Energy Management project is to control energy consumption and thus continuously improve energy efficiency and maintain achieved savings. In addition to implementing various technical measures, the project also includes structural organizational and behavioral measures.
The customer
“Because the project was of such a large scale, we brought in PowerQ to manage it, allowing us to focus on providing care.”
To map potential savings, a baseline measurement in 2010 was used. Compared to the national average, Zorgbalans had a poor energy performance in terms of electricity consumption. To identify potential areas for improvement in energy efficiency, PowerQ conducted building analyses at various locations.
These studies showed that energy use was not being managed efficiently at many locations. For example, there was a lack of good insulation and many technical installations were outdated. In addition, the heating and lighting use was not set efficiently. Based on these findings, PowerQ identified a number of technical measures that could effectively save energy.
Huijsmans: “In recent years, we’ve already implemented many sustainability measures, such as installing more efficient central heating boilers, adding insulation, and using energy-efficient LED lighting. We also believe it’s important that the energy we use is purchased sustainably and, where possible, generated sustainably. Since 2014, we’ve been purchasing energy through the PowerQ purchasing collective, and in 2017, we decided to green our electricity consumption with wind energy.”
In 2016, two solar panel projects were launched. PowerQ provided the overall project management for the Houttuinen location in Haarlem and Heemhaven in Heemstede, where a total of 265 solar panels were installed, which together could power an average of 22 households.
In addition, work has been done on behavioral change to reduce energy awareness and consumption among both residents and employees. Informative afternoons were organised and campaigns were conducted to promote energy saving in a positive way.
As a result of the measures implemented over the years, Zorgbalans has achieved excellent results in terms of energy savings and is on track to meet its targets. Compared to 2010, gas consumption decreased by 18% and electricity consumption by 17%.
As a result of purchasing green energy and a reduction in energy consumption, Zorgbalans now also emits significantly less CO2. Compared to 2010, Zorgbalans has emitted more than 6,000,000 kg less CO2. This is equivalent to the emissions of approximately 1,363 households.
Because energy consumption could be reduced to such an extent and PowerQ was able to purchase at favorable prices with the purchasing collective, Zorgbalans saved many costs.
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Amber Winkelman | Deputy Director