Jakub Czapliński: We will be climate-neutral by 2030
Yes, I’m Jakub Czapliński, Sales Director of Danfoss Drives. How can I assist you?
The extensive range of Danfoss products ensures their presence in virtually every industry and application.
Danfoss is active in many areas. Please tell us about the key segments of your market activity.
The wide range of Danfoss products means they are used in many different places. Danfoss provides solutions for buildings, heating, water and sewage systems, industries like food production, maintaining cold chains. They’re also used in vehicles, ships, and hydraulic systems. Most importantly, they’re heavily utilized in the energy sector. The common theme across all these areas is that Danfoss technologies help save energy, which reduces emissions and the environmental impact in each sector.
Let’s go back to the 1930s. How did the Danfoss story begin?
Our journey of innovation began on September 1, 1933, when Mads Clausen established Danfoss in his parents’ house in Nordborg, Denmark. Since then, the company has evolved from a single venture into a global leader in groundbreaking and energy-efficient solutions. Danfoss marked its presence in Poland back in 1991, becoming one of the first Western companies to do so. Our initial office on Obozowa Street in Warsaw became a hub for pioneering initiatives, including the introduction of radiator thermostats to the Polish market. These thermostats were so influential that all similar devices were commonly referred to as “danfossy.” This legacy of quality and energy conservation continues to this day.
As our operations expanded, our production facility in Grodzisk Mazowiecki was established just six years later. Today, this site houses three factories that manufacture various energy-saving solutions, encompassing commercial and industrial refrigeration, heating solutions (such as radiator thermostats), and DEVI heating mats. Our Tuchom plant, located near Gdynia, focuses on producing heat substations. Additionally, our Żelazków facility is responsible for crafting components used in plate heat exchangers. Our journey of growth and innovation has led to these strategic locations, empowering us to continue providing top-notch solutions globally.
Danfoss, as a company aware of global megatrends and its impact on the environment, has been operating in a sustainable and responsible manner since its inception, combining economic growth and business development with care for employees, local communities and the environment. We set ourselves ambitious goals, systematically reducing our global energy intensity in order to minimize our ecological footprint as much as possible.
Sustainability seems to be a leitmotiv at Danfoss for many years. Was there a specific point in history when the company started paying more attention to this aspect of the business?
From its very inception, Danfoss has recognized the significance of global megatrends and their environmental implications. This awareness has driven us to operate in a manner that’s both sustainable and responsible. We’ve successfully integrated economic growth and business advancement with a genuine concern for our employees, the local communities we operate in, and the environment at large.
Our commitment doesn’t stop at intentions; we’ve set ambitious targets for ourselves. Through systematic efforts, we’re steadily decreasing our global energy intensity. Our aim is to shrink our ecological footprint as much as possible. One of our monumental goals is to achieve carbon neutrality across all our global operations. To this end, we’ve made a pledge to transition our entire company car fleet to electric vehicles by the latest by 2030.
Danfoss has achieved a unique distinction by being the first global technology company to join three vital business initiatives within The Climate Group: EP100, EV100, and RE100. These partnerships ensure that we continuously monitor our climate objectives, focusing on energy efficiency, renewables, and the adoption of electric vehicles.
As a recognized authority in energy efficiency, Danfoss plays a pivotal role in global efforts to reduce energy consumption. This, in turn, significantly curbs carbon dioxide emissions. Our innovative products have contributed substantially to global energy reduction efforts. Over the years, we’ve made considerable strides in reducing our global energy intensity. Our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility continues to drive our actions and decisions.
The essential steps for reaching emission neutrality encompass three actions that can be adopted globally: minimizing energy waste while enhancing energy efficiency, reclaiming and reusing heat, and prioritizing the use of clean energy sources.
Danfoss Poland is dedicated to consistently lowering its carbon footprint. This objective was at the forefront when the company constructed an environmentally-friendly factory in Grodzisk, focused on manufacturing solutions for commercial and industrial refrigeration.
You mentioned that in 2020 Danfoss set itself an ambitious goal to be climate-neutral by 2030. How will you achieve this goal?
Danfoss is making substantial strides in its 2030 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mission, placing decarbonization at the core of its agenda. A monumental commitment has been made: to render all of Danfoss’ global production facilities carbon neutral. Impressively, Danfoss’ headquarters in Nordborg, Denmark, has not only met but exceeded this goal, achieving full CO2 neutrality eight years ahead of the 2022 target. This significant achievement radiates through the offices and factories sprawled across the expansive 250,000-square-meter main campus. Over the years, these facilities have undergone a series of transformations to heighten energy efficiency, and much of this success can be attributed to Danfoss’ innovative green technologies. Since 2007, the outcomes have been remarkable, with a staggering 70% reduction in heat consumption across production processes and buildings in Nordborg. Electricity consumption has also seen a commendable 43% decrease. This strategic endeavor boasts a remarkable achievement: all implemented solutions have yielded a payback period of three years or less.
The blueprint to achieving emission neutrality is elegantly simple yet universally effective. Three strategic actions form the crux of this approach, poised for replication across diverse settings. First and foremost, the focus is on reducing energy losses and enhancing energy efficiency, a cornerstone of the strategy. Equally vital is the meticulous recovery and reuse of heat, maximizing resource potential. Finally, an unwavering commitment to harnessing clean energy sources underscores the journey to emission neutrality. This three-pronged approach holds the promise of not just sustainability but also economic viability, forming a foundation for comprehensive replication.
Danfoss Poland is actively working to minimize its carbon footprint, and this commitment is evident in their green factory located in Grodzisk. This facility is dedicated to producing solutions for commercial and industrial refrigeration, and it was constructed with a focus on environmental responsibility. The core strategy to achieve climate neutrality involves boosting energy efficiency and shifting towards renewable energy sources.
The entire range of operations, including heating, cooling, ventilation systems, and the production machinery, operates using green electricity. The design of the new production hall in Grodzisk Mazowiecki prioritizes energy conservation and makes use of waste heat generated during various technological processes within the hall. Notably, the production hall contributes significantly to heat recovery, where as much as 80 percent of the energy utilized for heating the hall during winters can be reclaimed.
The ingenious ventilation system installed in the production hall captures this reclaimed heat and repurposes it to warm buildings and water. Beyond recuperating heat from the hall and production processes, additional heat recovery takes place from air compressors and chillers. These devices generate excess heat as they create cold air or compress air, and this heat is harnessed for heating buildings and water for various uses like process heat, central heating, and domestic hot water.
The approach adopted during the design of the heating and cooling systems focuses on maximizing the building’s energy efficiency. For example, during winter, the design allows for the recovery of up to 500 kW of energy from technological processes, aligning with the season. The key aspect of this strategy involves a systematic sequence: primarily reducing energy consumption, followed by utilizing waste heat potential, and finally supplementing the remaining energy requirements with renewable energy sources. This method ensures a robust and economically viable transformation of energy while effectively meeting the energy demands.
In cities, emissions from transport and those from heating and cooling buildings are predominant. That is why our cities are an ideal starting point for green investments. Investments in the decarbonisation of buildings are the key to meeting climate goals and reviving the economy. The modernization of the technical systems of buildings alone is 30% energy savings, with 2 4 years payback period.
How can Danfoss products help the construction sector become climate neutral?
Cities face a significant challenge with emissions from transportation, as well as heating and cooling buildings, taking the lead. This underscores the importance of cities as prime candidates for initiating environmentally-friendly investments. Buildings alone account for nearly 40% of global energy usage and about one-third of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Simultaneously, they hold immense potential for substantial energy savings. Investing in the decarbonization of buildings emerges as a critical strategy for achieving climate objectives and revitalizing economies. By modernizing the technical systems within buildings, energy savings of around 30% can be achieved, often resulting in a payback period of 2 to 4 years. Elevating the energy standards of buildings also translates to improved comfort, healthier living conditions for residents, cleaner air, and a reduction in energy poverty. Danfoss is dedicated to comprehensive solutions ranging from district heating systems to heating control systems.
Conversely, refrigeration represents a neglected aspect in tackling global climate change. Without swift intervention, the rising demand for refrigeration in cities could lead to a significant surge in greenhouse gas emissions. As indicated by the International Energy Agency (IEA), these processes will rank as the second-largest contributor to increased electricity demand over the coming decades. Projections suggest that up to 3 billion air conditioners could be installed by 2030, and potentially 5.5 billion by 2050. This will consequently drive up energy consumption, costs, and the risk of power shortages during summers, all while exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions that further intensify climate change. Hence, prioritizing sustainable refrigeration becomes a crucial element in the battle for a healthier climate. The energy efficiency of air conditioners can vary by up to 70%, and by opting for the most effective solutions, global energy consumption from these devices could be reduced by almost half. This pursuit is bolstered by the utilization of highly efficient compressors, exchangers, and regulators.
Why is electromobility crucial for climate neutrality?
The advancement of electromobility in both private and public transportation within urban regions across Europe, the USA, and China presents a pathway to achieve the targeted 28% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Electric vehicles (EVs) also play a crucial role in enhancing urban air quality and diminishing noise pollution in cities and ports. The technologies available today possess the potential to slash nitrogen oxide emissions by a remarkable 90% per passenger-kilometer traveled. The evolution of e-mobility is poised to bring about a substantial surge in employment opportunities, with estimates projecting an additional one million jobs by 2030 on a European scale.
Danfoss is actively engaged in this sector, contributing through the creation of components designed for converting electricity in electric vehicles, as well as manufacturing charging stations and energy storage solutions. This involvement underscores the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable transportation and aligning with the broader goal of reducing environmental impact while fostering economic growth.
The world is becoming more and more digitized. How does Danfoss fit into this trend?
The rapid advancement of digitalization, particularly within the industrial sector, is undeniable. Networked devices now engage in seamless communication, exchanging data that’s not only stored but also processed in the cloud, leading to insightful conclusions about the status of individual system components. Ensuring the security of these communications is of utmost importance.
Danfoss is at the forefront of this arena, introducing innovative solutions such as Condition Based Monitoring. This method involves intelligent sensors within drives, effectively acting as smart sensors, which assess the performance of the entire system. When deviations from expected outcomes occur, prompt reactions are triggered. Another valuable offering is Remote Monitoring, which delivers comprehensive insights into device operations. Notably, this access is location-independent, eliminating the need for maintenance teams to be on-site to validate equipment functionality.
While prioritizing digitalization, the focus isn’t solely on end customers, but also on partners. For their benefit, Danfoss has crafted an application that facilitates swift audits of frequency converters. This empowering tool enables specialists to effortlessly generate maintenance recommendations by simply using the QR code scanner associated with individual drives. This holistic approach underscores Danfoss’ commitment to fostering convenience, efficiency, and cutting-edge solutions across the spectrum of digital transformation.
Hybridization involves combining different energy sources in one system. Its full use, especially in the context of renewable sources, is in turn dependent on energy storage. Thanks to it, we will be able to adjust the energy supply to the ever-increasing demand and direct surpluses to storage to use them during times of greater demand.
With such a wide range of products and solutions, you are an expert in hybridization. How can Danfoss help its customers use hybridization for energy storage?
Hybridization entails the integration of different energy sources into a single system, and its optimal utilization, especially with renewable sources, relies on efficient energy storage. This approach allows us to adapt energy supply to the escalating demand and store excess energy for utilization during peak demand periods. Implementing hybrid systems with energy storage not only enhances system efficiency but also mitigates the risk of power outages. For our partners, it guarantees a stable network quality that avoids disruptive downtime. Our offerings at Danfoss include hybrid system drives that ensure elevated system efficiency, enabling the balancing of energy supply and consumption levels. Additionally, they curtail peak energy values, thereby reducing the need for substantial infrastructure investments. These converters can seamlessly connect with batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and even solar panels.
In line with our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, Danfoss is actively pursuing gender parity. By 2025, we aim for 30% of key positions at Danfoss to be held by women. Currently, in the Eastern European region, nearly half of the workforce is comprised of women, accounting for 46%. Women hold 31% of managerial positions in this region and 37% in Poland, signifying our strides towards fostering gender diversity and empowering women in leadership roles.
Danfoss
Danfoss creates advanced technologies that enable building a better tomorrow, based on smart and effective solutions. In growing cities around the world, we ensure the supply of fresh food and optimal comfort in homes and offices, while addressing the need for energy-efficient infrastructure, connected systems and renewable energy sources integrated with them. Our solutions are used in sectors such as refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, energy processing, motor control as well as in the field of vehicles and industrial machinery. The origins of our innovative engineering date back to 1933. Today, Danfoss leads the market, employing nearly 42,000 people and serving customers in over 100 countries.