On 17 March, Stadtwerke Gießen received a certificate with which the experts from the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water and the Association for Electrical Engineering and Electronics attested to the company: All safety-related requirements are fulfilled in an exemplary manner.
When it comes to the supply of energy, safety is the top priority in Germany. Naturally, Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) also acts in accordance with this principle. The Giessen energy specialists work according to strict guidelines in order to guarantee a secure supply at all times and everywhere.
In the gas and water sector, the rules of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) apply. The German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (VDE) has drawn up the corresponding regulations for the electricity sector.
"However, complying with work regulations is not enough," says graduate engineer Peter Keller, Head of the Energy & Water Networks department at SWG. With the Technical Safety Management (TSM), the Hessian energy supervisory authority requires proof that the internal organisation and documentation of the processes guarantee compliance with the regulations. In order to provide this proof, SWG's Technical Services underwent an audit by DVGW and VDE experts in December 2014. The experts spent three days poring over folders, interviewing employees and talking to managers. "We were able to convince the auditors in all respects," says Reinhard Paul, Chief Technical Officer at SWG.
Fulfilling increasing requirements
For SWG, technical safety management is not an end in itself. In fact, the specialists from VDEW and VDE see themselves less as inspectors and more as consultants. "At the end of the day, everyone involved is pursuing the same goal - the safest possible supply," summarises Jens Schmidt, Commercial Director of SWG. This is why the employees of Stadtwerke Gießen work closely with the auditors. "It's not about reprimanding, but about objectively analysing the situation," says Peter Keller. And because the technical requirements for an energy supplier are constantly increasing, it is very helpful to participate in the TSM and undergo a repeat inspection every five years.
With this certification, SWG has proven that it is doing everything conceivable to transport natural gas and electricity safely. And ultimately all customers benefit from this safety.