Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd. (HUM), a fully integrated car manufacturing facility in Swindon, the U.K, is tackling energy conservation in three steps: awareness, efficiency, and innovation. In the first step, awareness is raised among all associates, and new ideas are shared at energy meetings. The second step is consideration of when and how to implement the ideas. And the third step is the search for innovative approaches.

These initiatives have already proven successful in many ways, including the replacement of lighting with more efficient equipment, improved control of air compressors, and the installation of variable speed devices in large fan motors.

Honda Deutschland GmbH was awarded the German Sustainability Award 2011, given to model companies, products, and brands that help raise awareness of the principles of sustainable development, for EcoPower 1.0, a household cogeneration system developed jointly with Vaillant, a German manufacturer of products for heating, cooling, and hot water. At the heart of the system, the engine unit supplied by Honda uses EXlink (extended expansion linkage) technology to boost the unit’s total efficiency to 92%. The award helped raise the value of EcoPower 1.0 as a sustainable product and service with exceptional economic and environmental performance.