Continuously reducing our energy and water use
In 2007 we introduced an Energy Savings Plan to reduce both our gas and electricity use and to curb our CO2 emissions. Each year actions are taken and the plan achieved impressive results: between 2010 and 2011, in Bernin, Soitec saved 3,922 MWh in gas and 5,157 MWh in electricity — enough to power 605 homes. The savings also shaved 1,779 tons off of our CO2 emissions — equivalent to taking 540 cars off the road. The plan also covered water consumption.
Every year, we set new targets for lowering our energy and water use.
This policy of using less natural resources is now part of our standard operating procedure; we set goals each year and our operations department tracks them closely.
Regular monitoring is the first step to achieving reductions in consumption, and enables us to pinpoint plant improvements like: optimizing boiler operation; regulating humidity in our air treatment units; upgrading equipment motors; improving the efficiency of our water purification station; and regulating air cooling tower draining frequency.
We have also implemented a comprehensive chemical management system covering our acids, bases, solvents, and process and carrier gases. The inventory stored at our Bernin site is tracked constantly and is kept well below local legal limits. All new substances entering the site must be approved by our Health, Safety, and Environment Department.