Client: Draka

Client's business sector: Draka is an international cable manufacturer.

Country: The Netherlands

Challenge: M&C Energy Group currently work with Draka across 22 sites in Europe and have recently extended the relationship to cover the USA  through our partners US Energy. As the appointed Energy Consultants to Draka Group, all opportunities are investigated into minimising the consumption and costs relating to utility supplies.

M&C Energy Group's Strategy: M&C Energy Group conducted a detailed Energy Survey of Draka's Optical Fibre producing facility in Eindhoven and presented the resultant report in June of 2008, outlining potential areas where energy efficiency could be improved and costs reduced. This report detailed a number of energy efficiency recommendations, one of which related to the supply of steam to site. The steam supplied was being monitored and charged for by way of measuring the volume of condensate returned via a meter in each of the steam plant rooms within the Draka facility.

Result: M&C Energy Group's Energy Survey identified that the overall consumption of steam in energy terms appeared high in relation to the application, particularly during the summer months. Further investigation determined that the steam metering equipment within the main steam plant room was providing inaccurate results and a number of condensate return tests were undertaken by M&C Energy Group to determine the actual level of steam consumed within the plant.

Comment: Jan Bongaerts, Draka's Commercial Director commented, "M&C Energy Group has worked closely with us to identify areas of potential saving. In the case of the Eindhoven site, they reported back to us on their initial survey with a recommendation to investigate the steam usage in more detail. Their innovative approach to investigating energy efficiency improvements and implementing the necessary change has resulted in a significant saving for us."

Callum Stuart, International Project Development Manager explained, "We conducted a survey at Draka's fibre optic production facility in Eindhoven and identified a potential overcharge, initial identification of this historical overcharge was brought about by nothing other than sheer intuition, as steam is notoriously difficult to measure accurately. In order to confirm initial suspicions, a test mechanism was employed on site. Backed up by some fundamental thermodynamic principals, sufficient data was gathered to bring a case to the supplier and commence with negotiations on behalf of Draka. The refund secured to date is €380,000 with further savings expected to be realised, a superb result by any standard."