Trailing only office buildings, retail properties have the second highest energy consumption levels of all commercially used non-residential buildings in Germany. Increasingly, larger companies are introducing professional energy management systems. But most of the measures introduced are focused on the reduction in electricity consumption, for instance in lighting or product-based system technology. In contrast, the implementation of energy-efficient refurbishment to include improved thermal insulation or the modernisation of building technology remains comparatively rare. One reason: many retailers have only rented their sales premises and modernisation measures would require approval from the building owner.
Cooperation for greater energy efficiency
dena is cooperating with industry representatives and building owners to develop viable solutions for the energy-efficient refurbishment of commercially used buildings and hence allow the retail sector to benefit from lower energy consumption as well. The pilot project “Energy-efficient Retail – Energy-efficient Modernisation of Retail Properties” is intended to provide important insight in this area.
Implemented together with retail companies and building owners, this project visualises the efficiency potential lying untapped in each individual building. In the next stage, the stakeholders develop cost-effective energy efficiency solutions for socialisation throughout the industry.
Studies point the way to greater energy efficiency
dena has completed two exacting studies to investigate the status quo and the potential for more energy efficiency in retail buildings. In March 2016, it published the study “Energy Management in Commerce”.It outlines the energy-efficiency potential in commercial buildings used in the German retail sector, while at the same time developing affirmative approaches in order to overcome the owner/tenant dilemma and hence to achieve improved energy efficiency. Released in June 2015, dena’s preliminary study “Energy Efficiency in the Retail Sector” had already analysed the building portfolio and its energy efficiency situation.
