Utilities in times of coronavirus

Electricity, water, heating, cooling and ventilation – all of them have to keep working at ER-GO locations, even in coronavirus times. In Düsseldorf, Richard van de Ven and his team in the main control centre ensure that they do – with a special plan of action and the coronavirus rules always in the back of their minds.

Hello Richard, where are you at the moment?
Richard van de Ven: Unusually, I’m working from home, but in close contact with colleagues on site by phone and laptop.

What are currently the most important functions?
The computer centre must be 100% operational, and we make sure it has electricity and air-conditioning. The computer centre is operating normally – and it needs to be with so many colleagues now working at home. In addition, maintenance and repairs have to continue as planned.

Has the coronavirus affected the way people work?
Of course, it’s in the back of your mind. You can’t shut it out completely. We try to keep the risks to a minimum. Most colleagues come directly to work by bike or by car. Only a limited number of people can be in the control rooms at the same time, and a distance of 1.5 metres is maintained. Around 30 service-provider employees are also always on site. They are virtually all from firms we have known for years, and we know that they respect the coronavirus rules, which at the moment is very important.

By Willy Lünstroth