Additionally, the company says it has targeted a 50% cut in energy use on its current elevators by 2010.“Powered by the energy-efficient Kone EcoDisc hoisting machine, the next generation of Kone machine-room-less elevators to be launched in 2009 will combine new regenerative solutions with impressive standby energy saving capabilities,” the company said.The elevator is also fitted with other energy efficient features such as LED lights in the elevator cabin, which help create the 30% energy consumption cut, according to Kone.“Buildings account for approximately 40 per cent of the world’s energy needs and elevators can account for up to 10 per cent of a building’s energy consumption,” Kone Technology senior vice-president Jussi Oijala said.“Based on this, we see great potential to further reduce the impact of buildings on the environment by offering innovative and energy efficient solutions to the market.” The company says it has focused on developing energy efficient solutions for many years.“Since its commercial launch in 1996, the Kone EcoDisc hoisting machine has cumulatively saved the electricity production equivalent of a typical power plant,” Kone said.“This figure represents avoiding the consumption of 2 million barrels of oil, or the emissions of 100,000 cars driving the earth’s circumference.”
