It has now been more than a year since HMS Networks, a world-leading provider of solutions for industrial communication and industrial IoT, decided to invest in locally produced solar energy in collaboration with HEM (Halmstad Energi och Miljö). The solar cell plant in Skedalahed, Halmstad with a total of 3240 square meters of solar cell area, produces solar energy that drives 40% of HMS's operations in Halmstad - for a more productive and sustainable world.
- At HMS, we have been actively working with sustainability for many years. We have had renewable energy in our lines since 2012, and when we changed the electricity supplier to local HEM 2017 we of course continued with it. It was already discussed if we could get some of the solar energy from Skedalahed. When Martin Winckler at HEM contacted us at the end of 2018 and wondered if we were still interested in the solar energy, we were very interested, says Ken Gullberg, Global Supply Controller at HMS.
Katarina Lekander, Quality and Sustainability Manager, HMS och Ken Gullberg, Global Supply Controller, HMS.
Currently, HMS Networks buys all solar energy generated by HEM's solar plant, which corresponds to approximately 40% of HMS's total consumption. If another company is interested in 100% solar energy from HEM, HMS will reduce the proportion of solar energy, and instead increases the proportion of electricity from other renewable energy sources.
- As a world leader in our industry, we naturally want to be a role model and support local companies' efforts to offer sustainable alternatives. In this specific case, if we can create increased visibility and demand, with an expanded / improved local solar cell park, it would be even better, says Gullberg.
The company works actively to develop environmentally smart solutions and spread its sustainability thinking both locally and globally.
- We use 100% renewable electricity for the Halmstad location, of which 60% is hydroelectric power from Nissan and other nearby water sources, and the remaining part is solar energy, says Katarina Lekander, Quality and Sustainability Manager at HMS.
- A significant sustainability aspect for HMS and our stakeholders is carbon dioxide emissions. HMS therefore aims to reduce our climate impact by increasing to 100% renewable energy in the other large business units in the HMS group. At present, we are at 85% renewable energy, which is a good figure. But we want to become even better, says Lekander.
The industrial market is currently undergoing a communication and data revolution driven by trends such as Industry 4.0, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and smart manufacturing. One of the driving forces behind these trends is sustainability, where data from industrial systems lead to for example, improved work environment, energy and resource optimization and reduced environmental impact. HMS products fulfill exactly this function, as automated processes and intelligent industrial communication enable more efficient energy consumption in industrial equipment, such as motor controls, pumps and fan systems.
- HMS's goal is to increase to 100% renewable energy within the group. More and more customers are turning to us to reduce energy consumption and service travel as we offer smart, sustainable products and services that help them become more sustainable. Our commitment to long-term sustainability efforts is aimed at not only meeting our customers' requirements but also driving sustainability issues in our industry, Lekander explains.
An example is HMS 'solutions for remote management of industrial equipment that generate substantial energy savings both through more efficient operation and a reduced need for site visits for control and inspection as the machine can be controlled remotely. In 2018, the savings potential in travel and reduced carbon dioxide emissions increased by 30% compared to 2017, thanks to the use of more Talk2M products.
Overall, HMS is very pleased with its choice of solar energy from Halmstad Energi and Miljö - an interesting alternative to hydropower to still meet its goal of 100% renewable energy within the group.
- We give HEM a green thumbs up! concludes Ken Gullberg.