Porsche production meets latest energy management standard

Zuffenhausen plant is first German car manufacturing plant to be audited in accordance with globally applicable ISO 50001 standard

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG’s main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen is the first plant in the German automotive industry to have successfully passed an audit in accordance with the new, globally applicable energy management standard ISO 50001. Porsche’s central parts warehouse in Sachsenheim near Stuttgart also successfully passed this audit, carried out by TÜV SÜD.

The new 50001 norm from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) governs the requirements on an energy management system enabling companies systematically and continuously to improve energy-related performance and increase energy efficiency. The energy management system was integrated with the existing environmental management regime at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen and Sachsenheim sites, an important partial aspect of which is the “Porsche Resources and Energy Management”.

Porsche’s goal is to be able to improve even further on recording and evaluating energy consumption and highlight potential improvements, thus enhancing the sites’ energy efficiency. Wolfgang Leimgruber, Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics, said: “We are delighted about the successful audit because it shows that we are on the right track to a production which is energy-efficient and saves resources. Highest levels of environmental compatibility and sustainability are enshrined in our environmental policies. We will, therefore, continue to work on improving our energy balance.“

Porsche’s Zuffenhausen and Sachsenheim sites have managed to improve their energy efficiency in recent years. The energy management centre has been completely overhauled and equipped with the latest technical facilities, and during construction of the cogeneration plants – one at the Zuffenhausen site and one at the Sachsenheim site – system engineering and equipment with very high efficiency was used.

In addition, the central parts warehouse roof at Sachsenheim is used to generate solar power: 8,500 photovoltaic panels generate approximately two million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. And in Zuffenhausen the new paint shop is on the verge of going into production. It employs the latest plant technology – especially for protecting the environment. This is the first time that innovative technologies have been used by a car manufacturer: lower emissions allied with reduced energy and resource consumption accompanied by higher quality.