Cases

Social contract – CUSTOMERS

Making life simpler

At Verdo, we work with a variety of customer types, including private and public companies and consumers, who buy electricity, water or heating from us. There are also private customers who purchase our products and services in relation to wood pellets for heating, green power or charging stations.

Sustainability has become a key issue, especially in many companies, and consumers are increasingly demanding that businesses think sustainably and contribute to the green transition. Much of our work with these customers consists of advising and guiding them and implementing sustainable, green solutions. One example is our collaboration with Sdr. Herred’s CHP plants, where a heat pump became a step on the road to CO2 neutrality. You can read more about this in the case on page 32.

Our consumer and private customers are also demanding more green power and sustainable heat production, as well as charging infrastructure for the increasing number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on Danish roads. That is why we are working to deliver sustainable and secure electricity, water and heating supplies at competitive prices, and have developed a charging infrastructure model called ‘Charge’.

All our customers therefore have different needs and expectations, and we work hard to understand and meet these. Our goal is to make life simpler for every customer – whether they are a private customer or a business.

Six villages in North Jutland go all-in on green energy

Verdo has supplied a heat pump to one of Sdr. Herred’s CHP plants, which has moved the villages in the area much closer to their goal of becoming CO2 neutral.

Six villages on south Mors in North Jutland have a vision of becoming CO2 neutral, and have therefore joined forces around four heating plants to phase out fossil fuels. Three of Sdr. Herred’s CHP plants now use biofuel, and the fourth consists of a heat pump supplied by Verdo. “We want to start a green wave in the area, while also giving our residents the cheapest heat. We therefore decided on a heat pump,” says Poul Kristensen, chairman of the board of Sdr. Herred’s CHP plants.

The heat pump currently supplies 80-90% of the heating, and is complemented by surplus heat purchased locally from a wood chip boiler when the price of electricity is high. This ensures great flexibility and the lowest possible heating price for the area’s 580 residents. It also brings the villagers even closer to their green vision of CO2 neutrality.

More green initiatives on the way In addition to biofuel and the heat pump from Verdo, Sdr. Herred’s CHP plants are working to involve keen locals in several green initiatives, such as solar cells and shared electric vehicles, where the sharing economy and circular thinking are in focus. The CHP plants have also invested in wind turbines, and are currently working to get approval for these to supply power to the plants – including the heat pump – as this will mean a significantly lower electricity price.

Verdo wins tradesman deal with

Aarhus University Photographer: Lise Balsby, AU Foto

Verdo and Aarhus University have agreed that Verdo will take care of all minor electrical installations until the end of 2023. This has so far resulted in nine newly appointed electricians and three apprentices at Verdo.

Verdo won the tender on a tradesman agreement with Aarhus University, which runs until the end of 2023. Under the agreement, Verdo must undertake all electrical and IT installations for sums less than DKK 50,000. The agreement results in full-time work for 10-15 electricians at the university’s six locations in Aarhus. “This agreement is important to us. Also for Verdo’s visibility in Aarhus, as our service business has now increased 60% in size. In addition to increased revenue, the agreement allows more flexibility in relation to other tasks,” notes Mike Hiltmar, Head of Department in Verdo Teknik.

The agreement with Aarhus University was reached quickly. This meant that recruitment and the practical details had to be sorted out in a very short time, reports Mike Hiltmar:

“In less than a month, we’ve taken over the responsibility from the previous supplier. We had to draw on several departments across Verdo, but we managed, and have now hired the necessary staff.

Attractive electrician jobs The University City, Katrinebjerg, Navitas and Nobel Park apparently sound good to many electricians. Even though they are in high demand, it has been possible to fill the advertised positions for nine electricians and three apprentices to date.

“Aarhus University is an exciting environment to work in, and it’s proved attractive to be assigned a fixed site and service your own area – while also helping each other, of course,” says Mike Hiltmar.

Facts about wood chips from Verdo

• The wood chips are produced as locally as possible, primarily from conifers, and come from sustainable Danish forests. • The wood chips have the following certifications: FSC®, SBP®, PEFC® and NEPCon®, which serve as the customers’ guarantee that they are receiving wood chips that comply with national and international sustainability requirements.

Verdo launches green heat in Skjern

Skjern Fjernvarme supplies heating which is 95% CO2 neutral, using sustainable wood chips from local forests supplied by Verdo. A flexible solution that has resulted in a long-standing partnership.

Skjern Fjernvarme is a modern energy supply company with a mission to provide low-cost, green district heating with high security of supply to the approx. 3,400 citizens and businesses in the area. They have already been very successful, as 95% of the district heating is CO2 neutral.

During the summer months, the district heating uses surplus heat from a local company, and in the colder months, Verdo supplies certified traceable wood chips from local, sustainable forestry.

A good and stable solution for Skjern Fjernvarme, which has resulted in a long-standing constructive partnership, according to Heine Pedersen, Operations Manager at Skjern Fjernevarme.

“We have a constructive ongoing dialogue, where Verdo listens, adapts and finds solutions to our challenges. From damp wood chips to future environmental requirements and the aim of being able to combust local park waste in the longer term,” he says, adding:

“It’s vital for us in our green transition that we have flexibility in our supply lines. Verdo, as a major player, can deliver this. Verdo was also chosen due to their competitive price and high product quality.”

From gas boiler to green district heating at KSM Group

Verdo has supplied district heating to the KSM Group in Randers. This is an important step along the green path according to the CEO.

The KSM Group machine factory in Randers supplies steel and metal products to the machinery, marine, wind power and offshore industries. The company is involved in several largescale sustainable projects on the international stage, and is thereby helping advance the green transition with their customers.

The KSM Group therefore also wants to environmentally optimise internal conditions, including their heating source.

“We had an ageing gas-fired boiler to heat the production and administration areas, and wanted to find another solution. However, it wasn’t possible to be connected to district heating until autumn 2021, when Verdo offered to expand into our area. And we jumped at the chance,” says Jesper Vinter, CEO of KSM Group.

A good partnership District heating in Randers is currently based 99% on biomass. The KSM Group’s connection to district heating is one of several internal improvements moving in a greener direction, including LED lighting and electric forklifts.

“We’re pleased to now have district heating, as it more closely reflects our company profile. Some savings have been projected, but for us it’s just as much about using eco-friendly heating,” says Jesper Vinter.

He also notes that the KSM Group and Verdo have had a good working relationship and a smooth process, with KSM Group being provided with a mobile district heating system until the district heating installation was completed.

Tinghallen connects green power to the experiences

Verdo-owned Midtjysk Elhandel is a nationwide electricity trading company that primarily serves business customers with annual consumption of more than 100,000 kWh. The largest customer base is in central Jutland, and one of those with whom Verdo landed a new deal in 2021 is Tinghallen in Viborg. They are experiencing rapid growth.

Their goal is to be Denmark’s leading concert hall, and a meeting place for professionals for courses and conferences. To support this goal, Tinghallen can now invite people to memorable experiences in a beautiful new setting, following extensive renovation in which sustainability has been in focus.

As an important part of the process, Tinghallen has signed a new electricity agreement. Midtjysk Elhandel is ensuring Tinghallen has a long-term green procurement strategy, with optimal risk spreading and price optimisation and 100% transparency in the procurement partnership. The agreement is fully in line with Midtjysk Elhandel’s goal of giving customers the best conditions for choosing an electricity contract and purchasing certified power – in a longterm partnership.

We’re growing at an astonishing rate. We also have a goal of being energy-neutral. Our agreement with Midtjysk Elhandel is an important step in our green transition, where we’re given a fixed price for green power. We give high priority to openness and honesty in our partnerships, and Midtjysk Elhandel can also deliver on that.”

As a sports club, we have an obligation to contribute to the green transition

Even COVID-19 can be exploited to advance the green transition. That is how it was at Herning Blue Fox. The lockdown of society and a sports hall with no spectators meant that the ice hockey club had more time to pursue their green goals. Energy optimisation was high on the agenda, and electric charging stations were in focus. Herning Blue Fox therefore chose to expand their existing collaboration with Verdo.

In addition to being a sponsor of Herning Blue Fox, Verdo is already a local player in that it supplies electricity and heating to Herning residents. This was also a factor in the decision to choose a charging station solution from Charge, which is Verdo’s concept, notes Blue Fox director Torben Skovsgaard.

“By choosing Charge and expanding our partnership with Verdo, we’re helping to boost cohesion in the city – by working with a local company and sponsor, and the fact that our charging stations expand the city’s infrastructure.”

He is very aware of the importance of leading the way in the green transition.

“As a sports club, we have an obligation to contribute to the green transition, and we have a unique platform where we can communicate with and inspire the businesses and people who come and take part in the sport,” he says.

In 2021, Herning Blue Fox installed two Charge charging stations for its staff. In 2022, the plan is to add four more charging stations from Charge, available to all locals, at the club’s attractive new car park, expected to be opened in the spring.