Energy-mapping project delivers evidential insights for equipment changes

• Sustainability initiative
• 

An energy-mapping project at the FTG Cranes Bäckefors site in Sweden, has provided new insights for the business unit to explore, including the replacement and repositioning of two ageing compressors with a single, efficient new unit. As a result, the site has reduced its annual energy consumption by 49,000 kWh.

Sustainability goal: environmental

Two of Bruks Siwertell Group’s environmental sustainability targets are to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030, in comparison to levels recorded in 2019, and switch to 100 percent renewable electricity in the same six-year timeframe. 
 
The Group consists of a collection of strong, market-leading product brands within the bulk handling, wood processing and forestry technology industries; Forestry Technology Group (FTG) Cranes AB, based in Bäckefors, Sweden, is one of them. 

FTG Cranes works closely with the owners of sustainably managed forests, offering a range of robust, durable cranes and trailer equipment, which deliver a long service life, ensuring that forest owners can operate in an efficient, sustainable and profitable way. 

To contribute to the Group’s energy reduction ambitions, the FTG Cranes business unit has established an energy policy with the primary objective of reducing its energy consumption. “Even if we purchase electricity produced entirely from carbon-free sources, it remains crucial to minimize our usage as much as possible,” says Ulf Godtman, Quality & Aftersales Manager, FTG Cranes. “Our ambition for 2030 is to continue reducing energy consumption and maximize the utilization of waste heat. To do this, you have to know your starting point, and how much energy you consume currently”.

Solution and results

As a result, last year, FTG Cranes undertook an energy-mapping project. The business unit has undergone significant changes since 2021, as it transitioned from manufacturing products to pure assembly. 

Previously, steel would have been purchased, cut, processed, and welded to create the finished products. The underutilization of machinery was leading to significant process inefficiencies. “By outsourcing manufacturing to specialist third-party expertise, we gained process efficiencies, but it also left us with the need to re-look at the factory set up and its systems, including two large 65kW compressors,” explains Godtman.

Sensors were installed to monitor the compressors’ usage and air demand. The tests revealed that they were only producing air seven percent of the time, inactive without producing air thirty three percent of the time, and completely shut down sixty percent of the time. Moreover, these compressors were located in a separate room outside the factory, which meant that any heat that they generated, could not be utilized for heating the factory space.
 
As part of the energy-mapping project, it was proposed that the old compressors should be replaced with a single 11kW unit. Additionally, the new compressor would be placed inside the assembly hall to utilize waste heat. The cost of a new compressor was around EUR 10,000 (SEK 112,000), and would generate annual savings of EUR 6,100 (SEK 69,000), resulting in a payback period of one year and eight months. Its heating contribution was in addition to these savings.

“I would suggest that energy mapping is extremely useful for all businesses,” notes Godtman. “It provided us with many useful insights to explore further and improve upon, including highlighting that we had inefficient compressors, situated in the wrong location. The new compressor is just one component among many contributing to reduced energy consumption. The next project will focus on our ventilation system.”

The new, efficient compressor was installed in January 2024, successfully replacing the two older ones. Results reveal that the FTG Cranes Bäckefors site has reduced its annual energy consumption by 49,000 kWh.

Monitoring and assessing sustainability milestones and achievements

Bruks Siwertell Group’s sustainability goals are assessed from an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, with each initiative falling into one or more of these categories. This is to clarify how different initiatives impact our overall sustainability work, and how their results can be used to maximum effect. It also contributes to our commitment to transparency. All aspects of our sustainability work are designed to be educational, so that we increase our knowledge and adjust our ambitions accordingly.