Nowadays, sustainability is a term that is often used strategically and frequently raises higher expectations than are then fulfilled in reality. This is not the case for a paint store in Aibling, whereCO2 neutrality has been clearly defined as a goal and the opportunity to actually achieve this goal using the technologies available today was seized during an extension.
The company achieved this by consistently relying on renewable energies for heat and electricity and incorporating geothermal energy as well as photovoltaics. The requirements were high: no more fossil fuels, heat and electricity from in-house production - not only for the new paint shop, but also for the existing building - combined with modern, energy-saving paint shop technology.
Balance between energy production and consumption
"What is unique in the industry to date," says SEHON Managing Director Tiemo Sehon, "is that FabriCar is the first to use geothermal energy to supply the building with energy, hot water, heating and to operate the paint shops and dryers."
FabriCar's own photovoltaic system and geothermal energy are the main energy suppliers. The trick is to adapt the energy generated in this way and its consumption to the operational requirements. Paint stores are subject to major fluctuations in energy consumption, both in day-to-day business and seasonally, which is why an effectivelyCO2-neutral energy supply is such a major challenge.
Read more about this specific use case and the strategies and concepts used to achieve this objective in the April issue of Oberflächentechnik magazine or online shortly at oberflaeche.de.