Year 2008 events

Vaisala joins the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries' energy efficiency agreement
Vaisala signed an energy efficiency agreement with the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries in March 2008. The purpose of the agreement is to improve energy efficiency, cut costs and help combat climate change. Being a party to the agreement, Vaisala gains information and a framework that complements the company’s own views.

In 2008, the existing status of energy consumption was analyzed at Vaisala plants in Finland. The purpose was to provide information based on which measures to improve energy efficiency and cut costs can be targeted at the most relevant factors, such as the operating times of ventilation systems, lighting and the use of certain electric motors.

The energy efficiency agreement will also steer the construction of Vaisala's new headquarters. Construction of this new building will start in the first half of 2009 to be completed by the end of 2010 and it will house some 200 employees.

In the spirit of the energy efficiency agreement, the new headquarters will be energy efficient and ecological and make use of daylight control, presence detectors and energy-efficient lighting fixtures. Top-class energy efficiency can be achieved by using solar and geothermal energy. State energy subsidyis required to deploy these. Energy efficiency is expected to improve by 10 percent on the energy efficiency at the premises currently in use.

Measurement instruments for monitoring and reducing energy consumption
Reducing the energy consumed by and improving the energy efficiency of properties are very important to Vaisala's industrial clients. Carbon dioxide and humidity measurements are increasing in importance in the monitoring of the quality of interior air and attaining targets in energy savings. The general comfort of interiors, legislation and cost cutting all increase the need for measurements.

An important application is Demand Control Ventilation or DCV. By improving the effectiveness of ventilation control, significant improvements in energy efficiency and interior air quality can be achieved. Conventional demand control ventilation improves energy efficiency and saves costs, but it is difficult and costly to install in existing buildings. Vaisala has been developing an economical system based on wireless measurement and adjustment of ventilation. The system is easy to install, which significantly decreases the capital costs of ventilation control.