The city of Äänekoski saved more than five percent of its energy consumption during the winter
Savings measures will continue
Last winter, the city of Äänekoski participated in energy-saving talks due to the threat of electricity shortages in Finland and to ensure that there was enough electricity for everyone. All in all, the city saved no less than five percent of its energy consumption.
Between November 1.11.2022, 31.3.2023 and March 1, 066, a total of 122 MWh was saved in the city's own properties and operations compared to the consumption a year ago. Although the most important goal of the savings talks was to have enough electricity, the financial savings were also significant, a total of 000 euros.
- The biggest savings were made in terms of heating costs and electricity. A saving of 690 MWh was achieved in heating costs alone, which is a 5,4 percent saving and brought a financial saving of 39 euros, energy engineer Juha Saari says.
- Please note that the city's personnel and other users of the premises have also wonderfully taken into account electricity saving in their own operations and everyday life, as the electricity consumption of the buildings was saved by 235 MWh (-4%), which means a saving of no less than 52 euros, Saari thanks.
- In addition, energy was saved by extending the night time periods for street lighting to be turned off. In this case, one third of the lighting is used. The saving was 141 MWh (-15%), which made the bill 31 euros lighter. The street lighting has been set to light up at night during shutdown so that e.g. lighting would be sufficient at intersections and near pedestrian crossings. Notifications of street lighting disturbances can be made to the city via the feedback service.
Residents also participated in joint energy-saving talks. According to Äänekoski Energia, energy savings have been around 5-6 percent compared to previous years.
Savings will continue
Finland's energy situation is now stable and consumption in the summer is low anyway. Savings measures will continue, however, because the city of Äänekoski is preparing economic saving measures after the economic situation has weakened.
One of the measures to balance the economy of Äänekoski is the extension of the extended nighttime switching off of street lights listed for this year. Juha Saari sees that there will certainly be some energy-saving measures from last winter that will continue to be used in the future, especially on the automation and IV side.
The city of Äänekoski has already invested in longer-lasting climate work: Äänekoski has already reached the set goals in the municipal energy efficiency agreement and in the Hinku network Äänekoski is one of the pioneers with its ambitious emission reduction goals.
- The city of Äänekoski strives to install solar panels in all its new buildings, and next, if possible, they will come to the new building of the Koulunmäki school and the new kindergarten in Koivisto, Saari describes.
- The city's properties are heated by Äänekoski Energia's district heating, which mostly comes from factories and over 90% is renewable energy. There is also no oil heating in any of the city's properties.
The city of Äänekoski is currently planning the purchase of charging points for electric cars, as the law requires charging points for electric cars in 2024 parking lots by 20. Charging points are planned for Äänekoski, Suolahti, Konginkanga and Sumiai. Also in the park construction of Äänekoski's multipurpose square, or "Sahara", provision is made for possible future city traffic charging points with pipes.
The street lighting inventory of the city of Äänekoski will be done this year. The old lamp technology, of which there is still a lot, especially in sports, will be replaced little by little over the next few years with new LED lamps. Lamp investments are recouped as energy savings.
For more information:
Energy engineer Juha Saari, 040 5729182, juha.saari@aanekoski.fi
News published 16.5.2023