The information stand outside the ministry’s cafeteria offered hints on how to save energy and more. © BMWi / Susanne Eriksson

Mission E at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

How can we cut our energy consumption, both in the office and at home? That was the main question during the energy efficiency week held from 15-19 February in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Lights out, screen off, main switch off – such simple measures can achieve a great deal – and set a good example.

Preventing energy waste, encouraging energy conservation – that was the aim of the campaign. Eleven teams were out and about at the ministry’s Berlin site, going to see individual members of staff to show them how they can reduce their electricity and heating consumption. The following measures are the answer: lights out, screen off, PC off, main switch off, perhaps turn the heating down – and with more than a thousand employees in Berlin and the corresponding number of offices, there is a fair bit of potential to save energy.

At the same time, the consumer centre offered workshops and individual advice sessions on cutting the cost of electricity and heating at home. Often, the use of an ammeter reveals some amazing things: Who knew that modern electronically controlled washing machines use energy even when they’re not washing? Or that a cheap toaster eats up 13 watts an hour without actually toasting anything? Or that a laptop, tablet, flat screen and co., i.e. all the “home electronics”, use up much more electricity than a fridge?

Savings of between 15 and 20 per cent are possible

The aim of the week-long campaign was not only to raise awareness of energy efficiency, but also to bring about a visible reduction in electricity consumption and thus in carbon emissions. After all, changing user patterns can save a lot of energy: in office buildings, electricity consumption has been cut by up to 15 per cent, and heat consumption by up to 20 per cent.

The biggest “Mission E” event so far

The campaign was called “Mission E”. E for energy, efficiency, emissions – and encouragement. The motto was designed by the “landlord” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Institute for Federal Real Estate. The event was not the first of its kind, but it was probably the biggest so far – as is only right and proper for a ministry for energy. The departments of the ministry which work day in day out on the energy transition were also involved.
Next week will see an efficiency week at the ministry’s Bonn site.