First semester of the Sustainability Webinar Series concludes with focus on sports facility energy efficiency

Jun 21, 2024·Inside FIS

Ski Jumping facility in Willingen (GER) @nordicfocus

The first semester of the Sustainability Webinar Series concluded with its fourth webinar, held in collaboration with Viessmann and Etanomics. Viessmann, the title sponsor of the FIS Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined World Cups, along with its partner specializing in energy optimization and decarbonization, explored the issue of energy efficiency in sports facilities by examining the Ski Jumping site in Willingen, Germany, which underwent an energy audit during the 2023/24 winter season. The webinar presented and discussed the audit results and specific actions aimed at reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions with representatives of National Ski Associations (NSAs) and Local Organizing Committees (LOCs).

The inspection of several World Cup venues and the analysis of their energy consumption shows that there is considerable potential for savings both during the events and in the year-round operation of the facilities.– Manuel Fath, member of the management of Etanomics Service GmbH

The second semester of the Sustainability Webinar Series will start in September, featuring four sessions covering topics that include climate change, sustainability strategies, sustainable fan engagement, communication, and transportation.

“This first semester covered a wide range of important topics related to reducing the impact of our events: from food and signage to rainforest protection and energy efficiency. These webinars are crucial to support NSAs and event organizers in understanding specific aspects of their daily activities and making informed decisions,” said Susanna Sieff, FIS Sustainability Director. “And the example of the Ski Jumping Stadium in Willingen is very much in line with FIS's own initiatives to reduce energy consumption.”

In October last year, FIS, Viessmann, and Etanomics initiated an energy audit of the FIS Headquarters in Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland. Similar to the Willingen project, the goal was to identify ways to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the building.

The study identified optimization measures such as the implementation of a hydraulic balancing of the heating system, the review of the control for the pipe trace heating for hot water supply, and the replacement of lighting with LED, representing a yearly potential of 12.967 kWh of energy saved and 1.374 kg of CO2 reduction.