Energy Star
Océ is a partner of EPA-USA ENERGY STAR® for energy-efficient ICT products. ENERGY STAR® is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2007, new ENERGY STAR® specifications came into force. Océ has set a short term target to comply with these specifications for eligible product platforms.
When developing new systems, Océ applies its own set of Océ technical standards that must be met at release onto the market. Here, strict maximum levels for energy consumption are laid down. These internal energy targets align with the latest ENERGY STAR specifications that became effective on 1 July 2009.
Following the updated requirements of the ENERGY STAR program, Océ has implemented a certification program for the ENERGY STAR label in close cooperation with UL-Environment. Now, the energy efficiency claims for Océ products are verified by a certified and reputed third party organization.
Océ facilities
Wherever possible, Océ eliminates energy waste by using technology. For example lighting systems that are activated only when a room is occupied have been installed throughout the company’s Venlo headquarters.
One of the biggest green projects undertaken was the installation of two natural gas-fueled heat and power cogeneration units at Venlo’s Complex One in 2003. These generate 300 kW each, and the system is so efficient that payback was achieved a year ahead of schedule.
In recent years highly innovative water systems have been introduced at the Océ offices in ‘s Hertogenbosch and two locations at the Venlo headquarters (Netherlands), and at Océ Printing Systems GmbH in Poing (Germany). Boreholes 90 meters deep were dug at each location. Water that has been heated by the summer sun or cooled by winter air is pumped down the borehole, where it can be stored efficiently. Months later the hot or cold water can be pumped back up to heat or cool the building.
In 2010, Océ Printing Systems and the manufacturing facility in Prague moved to 100% renewable electricity. As a result, the percentage of renewable electricity used by Océ production sites increased to 45% in 2010 (2009: 12%).
Efficient car fleet
The fleet of cars driven daily for Océ by mostly service technicians and sales personnel all over the world is impressive. So is their environmental impact. A dedicated Océ Fleet team, consisting of representatives from over 20 countries, monitors their use and develops yearly action plans to optimize fleet efficiency, taking sustainability into account. It is clear that whatever savings in fuel consumption can be made will help to lower the carbon footprint. One way to achieve this is to limit the number of kilometers for servicing. In the past few years great strides have already been made thanks to telemetering and the ever lower service needs in the new systems. A different angle is lowering CO2 emissions per kilometer, in other words using less polluting cars. Océ’s objective is to reduce average emissions in European countries to 130 g CO2/km by 2012. Average emissions for lease cars in the United States and Australia will be reduced to 200 g CO2/km by 2013.
