ABCinEnergy is progressing with WP2, currently focusing on identifying and benchmarking best practices in energy sustainability across European HEIs. This phase involves analyzing existing energy-saving strategies, reviewing sustainability initiatives, and gathering insights from HEIs to establish a foundation for future KPI development.
Some Best Practices Identified to Share
Energy Monitoring & Management
- University of Montpellier implemented an Energy Management System (EMS) with heating/cooling regulations (19°C for heating, 26°C for cooling) and optimized scheduling to cut energy use.
- University of Palermo began developing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory to assess and reduce its carbon footprint, aligning sustainability efforts with emission targets.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
- Italian universities are expanding photovoltaic installations to reduce fossil fuel dependence and increase solar energy use on campus.
Student Engagement & Behavioural Change
- VILNIUS TECH successfully ran the Student Switch Off (SSO) dormitory competition, engaging students in energy-saving challenges with measurable reductions in electricity consumption.
- University of Montpellier launched the “Sobriety Ambassadors” program, where trained individuals promote energy-saving behaviours like reducing heating and turning off unused devices.
Key Challenges
- Financial barriers to implementing energy-efficient systems.
- Behavioural resistance in adopting long-term energy-saving habits.
- Data inconsistencies in energy KPIs across HEIs.
Next Steps
- Transitioning to the KPI phase, where key performance indicators will be defined to measure energy consumption and behavioural change.
- Laying the groundwork for WP3, which will focus on developing the Habit Tracker platform to monitor and encourage sustainable energy behaviours.
Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward!