ThyssenKrupp promotes smart cities

Diversified industry group ThyssenKrupp is calling for more energy efficient urban infrastructure, analyzing that an energy saving program for existing buildings needs to be implemented within 15 years. Building elements such as elevators, heating, ventilation and cooling systems still do not operate at the highest possible efficiency levels, so the company is already proposing to give this priority.

Every commercial building built today is expected to consume 12,000 MWh of electricity on average over the next 15 years. By 2030, about 60 percent of the world's population will live in cities, and energy consumption in these urban areas will increase by a quarter. As a result, energy inefficient buildings will simply not be able to keep up with the growing energy demand. Therefore, it is necessary to show foresight and make a decision on the development of existing urban structures for future cities.

Innovative elevator technologies such as the ThyssenKrupp TWIN system are just one example of solutions that can help with this. The system helps to save an average of 27 percent in energy and reduce the electrical power consumption in the building in half compared to other technologies. These elevators can also act as power generators by converting the kinetic energy of the elevators into electricity and returning it back to the power grid.

It is imperative to introduce advanced technologies in buildings around the world, and they must be adapted to meet the needs of different regions. In Europe, for example, a third of buildings that will be in use in 2030 were built before 1970 and, as a result, will require significant upgrades to bring them in line with modern energy requirements and standards. Retrofitting these old elevators with modern solutions can reduce energy consumption by up to 70 percent.

ThyssenKrupp Elevator is the Group's global passenger transport system business. Its innovative solutions are aimed at promoting the development of smart cities. The company's portfolio includes passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walkways, airport bridges, staircases and lifting platforms.