Renewable energy for a sustainable future
Efficiency, innovation, and inclusive responsibility – these are the cornerstones of DACHSER’s long-term climate protection strategy. Andre Kranke, Head of Corporate Research & Development and manager of the Climate Protection projectat DACHSER, shows how the logistics provider is setting the course for climate protection by purchasing renewable energies, building photovoltaic systems, and more.
Mr. Kranke, since January 1, 2022, DACHSER has been purchasing only electricity generated from renewable sources. Was this a groundbreaking decision?
We want to take concrete measures to contribute directly to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The decision to purchase 100% green electricity in all 42 countries where we have a DACHSER branch will indeed increase our electricity bill in the short term. But this step will cut carbon emissions and boost demand for green electricity, thus indirectly supporting the expansion of renewable innovative energies.
But you also invest directly in the production of renewable energy.
Yes, we want to significantly expand our rooftop photovoltaic systems. We aim to quadruple our production output over the next three year, going from our current output of around 5,000 kWp to 20,000 kWp. And this is only the first step.
What else are you planning?
We have even more rooftop area that can also be equipped with PV systems in subsequent years. We want to do this as quickly as possible, but of course we also have to be mindful of the available project capacity. Each installation is a project in itself and involves a series of technical tests. Implementation requires precise planning and validation, which of course takes time. But we have a number of colleagues working very intensively with our partners on this.
Andre Kranke is Head of Corporate Research & Development and Climate Protection Project Manager at DACHSER
Is the energy generated on sunny days enough to cover the demand for your facilities, in particular the new electric cars and trucks?
Unfortunately not. We’ve already done the math: if we switch completely to electric mobility, our energy consumption will skyrocket, and we can’t handle that with PV systems on our roofs alone. We will use the electricity we produce, but we’ll still have to buy green electricity. Supporting the construction of new renewable energy facilities in the form of power purchase agreements – i.e., long-term electricity supply contracts with renewable energy producers – is another avenue we are currently exploring.
Will you also produce and use hydrogen with green electricity?
We are currently investigating this possibility with various experts and partners, one of which is the Kempten University of Applied Sciences. DACHSER is also a member of the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV), a special interest group that seeks to promote a rapid market launch of fuel cell technology and of hydrogen as an energy source. As part of these partnerships, we are actively engaging with the hydrogen economy, driving innovation, and will ultimately also test new H2 technology in everyday use at an early stage.
It’s already clear that local production at our sites would make the challenge of distributing hydrogen much easier. But sustainable production of the H2 molecule requires a lot of energy. The economic viability therefore depends very much on the cost of green electricity.
Does this mean fuel cell trucks powered by hydrogen are a better alternative than battery‑electric trucks for emission-free long-distance operation?
Maybe. To determine which of these two zero-emission technologies will make the most economic sense in freight transport of the future, and when, will be shown by their respective use cases. In any case, we need both types of electric drive to achieve the climate protection targets.
Thank you for speaking with us.
Andre Kranke talks about efficient logistics concepts and DACHSER's integrative responsibility in a further part of the interview.
