Training in Energy Efficiency
On behalf of the School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics in Northwestern Switzerland, Office Ö-quadrat developed an approach to education and training material for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. From 2008, this work was applied to courses offered at the institution and will result in a Certificate of Advanced Studies.
Further information

Efficient lighting in the metro of Mexico City
Funded by the Foundation "Wisions", office Ö-quadrat developed an economic analysis for a renovation of the lighting systems in Mexico City’s subway stations. The study concluded that with an investment of around € 11 million, every year about 71,000 MWh could be saved and the project would have a payback period of less than three years.

CDM Expert Workshop in Buenos Aires
In April 2005, an expert workshop on the topic of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and sustainable energy supply in Latin America was held in Buenos Aires. This event was organized by Ö-quadrat working in conjunction with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), as well as the International Solar Energy Society (ISES). Experts who participated in the event included specialists from Germany and six Latin American countries.
 Further information

Feasibility study for a fridge exchange program in Cuba
On behalf of DENA, Ö-quadrat prepared a feasibility study for the Cuban government that investigated the savings potential from exchanging low-efficient refrigerators for high-efficient models. The study showed that the proposed program would be highly profitable for both the Cuban government and private investors. However, the implementation was unsuccessful due to political tensions between the EU and Cuba. Two years later the exchange program for the refrigerators was realised with chinese products.

Energy Supplier "Sustainability Test"
Together with the Wuppertal Institute, Office Ö-quadrat developed a concept of a "utility test", which would help consumers critically evaluate energy suppliers on the basis of ecological, economic, social and cultural criteria relating to sustainable management. The objective of the "utility test" was to provide a mechanism to increase market transparency and allow consumers to select energy providers based on their sustainable management performance. Thus the energy provider would be animated towards sustainable business development.
Further information (in German)

Development of a Computer Model to Calculate CO2 Mitigation Costs of Climate Protection Measures
On behalf of DENA, office Ö-quadrat developed an Excel-based model for determining CO₂ abatement costs; this model was then applied for different measures of energy efficiency.

SEPCO- Sustainable Energy Policy Concepts
On behalf of ISES (International Solar Energy Society), the managing director of Ö-quadrat led the SEPCO project, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Environment. The task of SEPCO was to develop strategies for the implementation of energy efficient technologies and solar energy in developing countries. Based on three case studies (South Africa, Cuba, and Mexico) a series of measures and strategies were developed.
http://www.ises.org/ises.nsf

The 100,000-Watt Solar Initiative
The managing director of office Ö-quadrat manages ECO-Watt GmbH, which was the first public performance contracting project implemented in Germany. The idea for the contracting scheme was initially put forward by D. Seifried from Ö-quadrat and later developed by the same organization. The Renewable Energy Act (EEG) and a new law which favours combined heat and power supply gave good oportunities to integrate these technologies into the performance contracting project. Under the label of the “100,000 Solar Watt” initiative, Ö-quadrat and the Wuppertal Institute successfully completed four projects of this kind.
www.eco-watt.de
www.wupperinst.org/solarundspar

Development of an Energy-Saving Concept for a Food Factory and Restaurant Chain
For this project, Ö-quadrat was commissioned by a Japanese company to investigate the energy savings potential within a food factory and restaurant chain, as well as develop a concept for the realization of these potentials. The company took action based on the energy savings measures identified within the study, and within one year, the company had achieved energy savings of six percent- despite only having made a small upfront investment in the improvement measures.

"Buy Efficient": Public Purchasing and Energy Efficiency
On behalf of ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives), Ö-quadrat designed an expert workshop on the procurement of energy efficient products at the EU level. Public Purchasing of energy efficient products is of central importance for the public policy on climate change. This instrument has great potential and has a great ability to accelerate the market introduction and penetration of energy efficient technologies.
www.iclei.org/europe

Energy Performance Contracting
In cooperation with the Öko Institut and the Berlin Energy Agency, office Ö-quadrat developed a guide for the instrument of energy performance contracting. This project resulted in the booklet entitled "Energiespar-Contracting als Beitrag zu Klimaschutz und Kostensenkung, Berlin 2000", which can be seen as a practical guide to procurement as a means of contributing to climate protection and energy cost reductions. The report can be obtained from the Environment Agency website.
Download brochure

Mobility Concept for Daimler Chrysler
As a subcontractor of Öko-Institut, office Ö-quadrat conducted a cost-benefit analysis of an occupational mobility concept. Various measures were analyzed, and ranged from the use of parking passes by management to the expansion of bike paths; all measures were considered in terms of expected costs and benefits.

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Solar Street Lighting in South Africa
The Office Ö-quadrat prepared a cost-benefit analysis for the Carl Duisberg Society. This investigation compared solar street lighting with conventional street lighting in rural areas of South Africa. The study was conducted in spring 2001 on site.