Westbridge Advisory GmbH, a leading consulting firm in energy and sustainability for the real estate industry in Europe, has comprehensively assisted the Nieder-Ramstädter Diakonie (NRD) foundation in optimising its energy and consumption management. This support included the redesign of electricity and gas supply, as well as the long-term reorganisation of metering point operation for a real estate portfolio comprising properties in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The mandate managed by Westbridge covered a total of 285 metering points, 224 for electricity and 61 for gas. The newly implemented contract structure for metering point operation is designed to run until 2034, thus laying a long-term foundation for precise consumption recording within the portfolio. The gradual conversion of individual properties will occur over the entire contract term. Through this step, NRD supplements its already re-aligned energy supply with a further operational component.
Improved Data Basis and Transparency
The implemented solution will enable NRD to record its energy consumption more reliably and uniformly in the future. This leads to increased transparency of consumption, an improved classification of cost developments, and the identification of further savings potential within the existing portfolio. Bianca Oberritter, Head of Property Management at the Nieder-Ramstädter Diakonie foundation, emphasised that the reorganisation of the metering structures was the logical next step after the re-awarding of energy contracts. She highlighted the importance of transparent consumption data as an essential basis for more effective operational management of the properties and a sound assessment of future optimisation potential.
Westbridge supported the entire process from the initial inventory assessment and coordination of project-specific requirements to the final design of the contract structures. In doing so, the various types of metering points and the different migration times within the portfolio were carefully considered. The result is a uniform structure that makes metering point operation plannable over several years and significantly strengthens the data basis for energy management.
Integrated Strategy for Real Estate Portfolios
Rüdiger Salzmann, Managing Director at Westbridge, underlined the necessity of not separating energy procurement and metering point operation, especially in complex real estate portfolios. He explained that a stable procurement strategy ensures planning certainty. Simultaneously, reliable consumption data ensures that this foundation can be managed purposefully and continuously developed during ongoing operations. The integrated consideration of these elements is crucial for efficient and sustainable real estate management.
