The Gen2 lift and its coated steel belt (below) ... smart and green.
Otis takes lead with green drive
Otis’ global green initiative extends to the Middle East, where it is educating people about its environment-friendly products that help boost the green credentials of projects.
01 July 2011
OTIS has taken its commitment to the environment to a new level by launching recently a major global environmental programme – The Way to Green – which spans every aspect of its operations, from design and manufacturing of lifts, escalators and walkways to maintenance and end-of-life recycling.
In line with this, the company is making enormous efforts to increase customer awareness in the Middle East about the advantages of green products and specifically the award-winning Gen2 elevator system featuring the ReGen drive that helps reduce power consumption.
“Worldwide, Otis is proud to be ‘going green’ with our advanced Gen2 system. By installing more energy-efficient elevators we can significantly reduce our environmental impact,” says Sebi Joseph, area director Gulf region for Otis.
“The ReGen drive is currently used only for elevators but Otis plans to introduce the product for escalators as well, bringing the same energy and space savings into these applications too,” he adds.
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According to Joseph, developers are showing an increased level of enthusiasm for going green and Otis has been able to support those looking to boosting the green credentials of projects in line with Estidama and Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings. “There are lots of technical requirements for Leed certification but Otis is able to give developers the data they need to meet the certification. For example, there are lots of different parts used in elevator manufacturing and Otis is able to provide details of the components that meet strict international standards. By gathering all the technical information from Otis, developers are able to prove that the standards are met,” he says.
Way to Green
Designed to significantly enhance the company’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, The Way to Green encompasses improved products and services that reduce energy consumption and offer optimum performance, as well as energy-saving manufacturing processes that help reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
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Otis elevator systems ... considerably reduce energy consumption. |
“Otis delivers environment-friendly solutions for every building need today: from malls to metro stations, from apartments to skyscrapers, from comprehensive maintenance programmes to equipment upgrades and enhancements,” says a spokesman for Otis. “With our commitment to continuous improvement – reducing energy usage and enhancing performance – it’s not surprising that Otis elevators, escalators and moving walkways are a part of many of the world’s most well-recognised and significant buildings across the globe.”
The company believes The Way to Green will constantly encourage environmental awareness among its 60,000 global employees, while also spurring its vast network of suppliers and customers to embrace environmentally-sensitive practices.
“As a worldwide leader, Otis has been working hard to establish a direction for our industry that preserves the planet for future generations,” says Didier Michaud-Daniel, president of Otis Elevator Company. “We have introduced energy-efficient products and established two sustainable manufacturing sites, while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Today, we underscore Otis’ steadfast commitment to show customers and suppliers The Way To Green by continuing to set aggressive goals, maintain our innovative edge and foster a strong culture of continuous improvement and efficiency.”
As a multi-faceted, ‘end-to-end’ initiative, The Way to Green integrates and builds upon the company’s significant accomplishments to date, which include its products and services and operation and manufacturing.
Products & services
“The award-winning line of Gen2 elevator systems featuring ReGen drives reduce energy consumption by up to 75 per cent compared to conventional systems with non-regenerative drives,” says the spokesman (see graph). “Under the prestigious European VDI 4707 standards, which assess elevator energy performance, the combined energy-efficiency rating across the full range of Gen2 systems with standard configurations is class A, the highest rating possible. VereinDeutscher-Ingenieure VDI (The Association of German Engineers) established its 4707 standards to assess elevator energy performance.”
More than 200,000 Gen2 elevator systems, covering a wide range of applications, have been sold to date, making it the fastest selling product in Otis’ history. Notable instalments of the system include Los Angeles International Airport, Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building) and Shanghai World Financial Centre.
In the UAE, apart from the Burj Khalifa, the Gen2 elevators have been installed in the Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Dalma Mall, Ferrari World, Al Zeina and the Al Raha Beach. The units have also been installed in the Al Qasar project, Metro Makkah, King Khaled University and the Riyadh Gallery, all in Saudi Arabia; the Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain City Centre and the Zallaq Resort, in Bahrain; Avenues shopping mall, Seef Palace and National Assembly, in Kuwait; the National Convention Centre, Qatar Science and Technology Park and Ceremonial Court at Education City, in Qatar; and the Majilis (Oman Parliament Building) and Royal Opera House and quarters, in Oman.
The Gen2 system’s coated steel belts and machine require no additional lubrication, eliminating the need for storage, clean-up and disposal of hazardous waste, he says. “This apart, LED illumination is now standard on Gen2 systems and lasts up to 10 times longer than conventional fluorescent lamps. In addition, the advanced, automatic switch-off mode makes the lighting up to 80 per cent more efficient than conventional options.
“On Otis escalators and moving walkways, optional ReGen drives reduce energy consumption by up to 60 per cent, an efficient automatic lubrication system reduces annual oil usage by up to 98 per cent versus conventional systems, and LED lighting options are up to 30 per cent more energy efficient,” the spokesman says.
In maintaining its service portfolio of 1.7 million units worldwide, Otis proactively audits all operations, monitoring vehicle fleets, and optimising service routes. This has enabled Otis to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 12 per cent from 2006 to 2010, the spokesman claims. Recycling, safe waste removal and environment-friendly cleaners are also incorporated in all Otis’ operations worldwide.
In the Gulf region, Otis maintains it green focus when it undertakes servicing, maintenance and modernisation. Older elevators have become ‘green’ through such a modernisation initiative.
Manufacture
Otis is committed to employing green processes in every aspect of its manufacturing cycle.
From solar energy to recycled water, from smarter packaging to a greener supply chain, Otis manufactures green solutions in the most environment-friendly way possible. Whether in replacing older lighting, heating and cooling systems with more efficient models or optimising thermostat settings, Otis says it is committed to ensuring its manufacturing facilities reflect the strong commitment to efficiency as the products do.
All components are selected for optimal performance and minimal environmental impact. Product packing materials are cut down maximising reusable packaging. The company says it also works to optimise shipping routes.
“We do all this with the goal of getting products to you in the fastest, safest way, with the smallest carbon footprint possible. In this effort, Otis also takes a proactive approach to managing and validating performance, waste reduction, and operational impact of suppliers who join us on The Way To Green,” the spokesman says.
When it comes to its manufacturing processes, Otis is constantly working to reduce overall industrial waste and maximise the amount of waste recycled. About 97 per cent of its industrial waste is recycled, claims the spokesman. At the same time, it has dramatically reduced its non-recycled waste.
Its green approach is evident in two of its facilities:
• The world’s first green elevator factory in Tianjin, China – The Otis Elevator Company Teda Centre – uses advanced technologies to reduce site energy usage by at least 25 per cent, compared to conventional design-and-construction methods, while delivering lasting environmental benefits over the building’s lifecycle. In fact, the US Green Building Council has recognised the centre with Gold-level Leed certification, he says.
• An innovative solar system powers its factory in Spain. The solar panels at Otis’ green manufacturing facility in Madrid, which produces Gen2 elevators, generate 60 per cent of the electricity needed for operations.
“Otis’ global presence and growth will enable The Way to Green to generate immediate and continuing environmental benefits for the thousands of markets we serve,” explains Michaud-Daniel. “Working with our employees, suppliers and customers, we look forward to continuously improving our environmental technologies and practices in the years to come.”
