RU successfully reduces energy consumption
Roskilde University reached its target of reducing energy consumption by 10% from 2006 to 2011. The new target is a 20% reduction by 2015.
The most recent data indicate that the Green RU project enabled Roskilde University to reach the energy reduction targets defined by the Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy: RU reduced electricity consumption by 10%, water consumption by 15% and heat consumption by an impressive 16%. With these figures, RU has reduced energy consumption by more than the 10% required by the "Circular on improving energy efficiency in Danish state institutions".
"The new figures for 2011 were a pleasant surprise. I was not sure whether we had reached the target for electricity because it is very hard to reduce electricity consumption," says Irene Steenfeldt Boese, who is in charge of energy-saving projects at RU. She explains that the university regularly gets new and more electronic equipment, which makes it difficult to reduce energy consumption.
Many projects paid off
RU introduced a number of changes at the university in order to reduce energy consumption. For example, almost all windows in the original buildings from the 70s were replaced. New heat control was also installed in the buildings, adjusting the temperature automatically depending on outside temperature.
"Furthermore, we put in LED lighting instead of neon tubes in the library. This alone resulted in annual savings of 100,000 kWh, which equals the annual electricity consumption of about 20 households. We also renovate the lavatories on an ongoing basis, fitting half-flush mechanisms and LED ceiling lights," explains Irene Steenfeldt Boese about the energy-saving projects.
Besides this, Green RU headed a large kick-off event last year together with other campaigns targeting students and employees. The campaigns aim to make people aware of RU's energy consumption, inducing them to change their behaviour and contribute to energy savings at RU.
"The campaigns were designed to create awareness of Green RU and make people think about the energy they consume in their everyday lives so that they will, for example, remember to turn off the light and close the windows when they leave a room," says Irene Steenfeldt Boese.
The work continues
However, the energy-saving efforts are not over at RU. Green RU has a target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2015.
"That will be really hard and requires large investments, but we are working with management to meet our target. We have come a long way, but we must make an even greater effort in the years ahead," says Irene Steenfeldt Boese.