Entry Details
| Organization: | Dalkia US Chillers Services LLC |
| Login ID: | phebby.pasturan@dalkia-me.com |
| Category applied for: | ESCO OF THE YEAR |
| Submission date: | 25-Oct-2024 |
| Submission Entry: | 1.) What systemic transformation are you able to report as an ESCO?Answer: As an ESCo, we drive systemic transformation by enhancing energy efficiency and IEQ aligning with evolving industry demands. Post-pandemic, IEQ has become a critical focus, directly and collaterally benefiting our projects. While energy efficiency and water-use optimization are primary goals, improving IEQ has become central to our work: • Proprietary Digital Tools: Utilizing tools outlined in the Dalkia Supporting Document on Digitalization & Innovation, we monitor and optimize HVAC systems in real-time. These solutions ensure balanced energy savings while significantly improving indoor environments, allowing performance metrics tracking and provide clients with clear insights into their energy usage and IEQ levels. • Innovative Measures: We prioritize innovation by collaborating with local and international companies to integrate cutting-edge solutions. This includes systems with additives to the chilled water network that reduce energy losses and improve overall efficiency, as well as advanced cooling tower water purification systems that eliminate need for chemical dosing. Additionally, we implement unique measures such as AHU-UV filters to enhance air quality and ensure comfort in the supplied air. • Demand-Controlled Ventilation: This innovative approach allows us to adjust ventilation based on real-time occupancy, reducing energy consumption while maintaining optimal air quality. • Proactive Maintenance Programs: We ensure that HVAC systems operate efficiently, enhancing both thermal comfort and air purity. • Occupancy Sensors and Controls: By employing these technologies, we achieve energy savings of 2.5-3.5% while improving occupant comfort by adjusting environmental systems according to actual building use. We have developed effective strategies to demonstrate the fiscal benefits derived from IEQ improvements while staying true to the ESCO model: • Health and Productivity Gains: Enhanced air quality translates to measurable improvements in productivity and reduced absenteeism, indirectly boosting client profitability. • Energy Savings and IEQ Synergy: Our smart controls showcase that enhancing IEQ aligns with energy efficiency goals, creating a synergy that maximizes cost savings. • Accurate Reporting: Use of our digital tools allows real-time reporting clearly linking energy savings with IEQ improvements, providing clients with transparent financial returns. We’ve expanded our policy focus to support broader sustainability efforts and global climate goals: • Alignment with Global Frameworks: We are committed to deploying CHP plants, district cooling systems, and smart HVAC technologies that significantly reduce emissions and energy use. • Adherence to Standards: By aligning with ASHRAE and CIBSE standards, we ensure projects not only enhance occupant health but also contribute to global sustainability. • Collaborative Innovation: We work closely with OEMs, regulatory bodies, and innovative suppliers to integrate cutting-edge solutions, ensuring our projects meet evolving industry standards for both energy performance and IEQ. In summary, our model enhances energy efficiency, IEQ, and sustainability, delivering financial and environmental benefits while working collaboratively with key stakeholders to achieve these goals. 2.) Given that buildings consume 40% of global energy, within which at least 40% is consumed by HVAC systems, how has the goal of 1.5 C additionally impacted your project opportunities? What specific design or equipment/ controls selection retrofits have you incorporated in your projects in order to support the 1.5 goal? (189)Answer: The goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C greatly influenced our project opportunities, where we prioritize decarbonization in all initiatives. While this poses challenges—such as increased capital costs and longer payback periods—support from GCC countries and super ESCOs drives energy efficiency market and enables us to explore innovative solutions. To align with the 1.5°C goal, we focus on: • Converting AC chillers to district cooling systems or seawater-cooled plants, which are less impacted by climate change. • Implementing HVAC equipment with refrigerants that have lower global warming potential. • Utilizing smart controls to operate cooling at higher settings and encouraging occupants to adopt energy-saving behaviors. • Use of sustainable materials and integrating on-site renewable energy generation like solar PV to offset HVAC energy consumption and reduce carbon footprints. These strategies enhance energy efficiency and decarbonization in our projects, allowing us to meet client needs while contributing to global sustainability targets. 3.) What is your ESG and energy-efficiency policy as an ESCO? (190)Answer: At Dalkia, our ESG and energy-efficiency policy aligns with sustainability goals that support our commitment to ethical practices through our Ethics Charter. We conduct integrity checks on business relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers. • Environmental Stewardship: Prioritizing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. • Social Responsibility: Committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplace, engage with local communities promoting awareness of energy efficiency and sustainability practices • Governance: Maintain robust compliance mechanisms to manage risks and uphold transparency 4.) In the past one year, how many of the ESCO projects you have worked on, have secured a Green Building certification? And under which rating systems and at what levels of certification? Please highlight also the carbon emission reductions achieved on these projects. (191)Answer: Dalkia has a dedicated team working for the whole group whose mission is to accompany its clients to achieve a green certification for their existing buildings. We assist them in the whole process with a guarantee of result to get the certifications. Until 2020, Dalkia was able to obtain for its clients: 5.) Please describe your corporate policies for employee motivation and retention - in terms of rewards, etc.? And what is your retention profile? Clients often insist on specific CVs of the service provider’s team to work on a project. Are you facing this issue as a norm, or are you able to assign a team of your choosing, quality-wise, to a project? Does employee-churn have an impact on satisfying clients’ expectations? (192)Answer: Dalkia implements several policies to ensure employee motivation and retention • Offering competitive salaries along with a comprehensive benefits package • Regular salary reviews ensure that compensation remains aligned with industry standards • Recognition programs to celebrate individual and team achievements & invest in employees' growth through ongoing training and development opportunities • Promoting healthy work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, remote work options and flexible hours • Commitment to diversity and inclusion by actively seeking feedback through employee surveys to continually improve workplace culture. Regarding requests for specific CVs, this is common practice particularly for specialized projects. We strive to maintain balance between meeting client preferences and leveraging internal talent. Our teams are curated based on specific project needs, ensuring we assign qualified individuals while optimizing workforce 6.) What management strategies and guidelines have you established to counter payment delays and other such instances, which are affecting your cashflow as an ESCO, and are preventing an ideal building construction eco-system (involving all stakeholders) from forming? What creative strategies are you utilising to circumvent/overcome cash flow challenges? (193)Answer: • Implement a clear process of reminding our customers, by anticipating payment deadlines 7.) How can digitalisation ensure transparency, ensuring timely receivables? What other mechanisms would you recommend to ensure you receive monies owed you? (194)Answer: Digitalization plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and ensuring timely receivables in our operations as an ESCO. Here are key ways it contributes: 8.) Have you incorporated changes to organisational culture and behaviour that enable a sustainable development approach? Specifically, what measures do you have in place to ensure ethical procurement practices across the entire chain of command and decision-making in your organisation? (195)Answer: The whole EDF Group including Dalkia is making its commitments concrete with the “Supplier Relations and Responsible Purchasing Label” based on the ISO 20400 standard frame of reference. In line with our Supplier Policy, the Group is placing responsible purchasing at the center of our social and environmental responsibility. We set out principles in the charter within the framework of the relationship with suppliers and subcontractors. This charter represents a constituent part of the agreements made by the Group. Additionally, certain products or services require our prior qualification. Our qualification process validates a company's legal, financial, technical and organizational capacity to meet our needs. For some of our “core business” purchases, additional examinations are carried out: audits on manufacturing sites, technical tests in laboratories or in operation. EDF's purchasing and supplier policy sets out requirements in terms of quality, safety, social and environmental responsibility, ethics and compliance, in order to guarantee the best possible industrial, economic and contractual performance for the Group's projects. It encourages innovation and favors balanced relationships with suppliers, while respecting ethical standards and the legal and regulatory framework. Centralized assessment, standardization and risk management processes to ensure efficient and secure collaboration with suppliers |
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| References: | CCAUAE2423 || phebby.pasturan@dalkia-me.com |