“We are aiming to maintain all on-site operation offers as far as possible, while implementing savings measures where necessary and appropriate,” says Chancellor Dr Martin Goch. All University bodies have also unanimously adopted the University Development Plan, which stipulates that every relaxation in measures resulting in increased energy consumption must be offset elsewhere in order to ensure compliance with the agreement concluded with the state of NRW and build on the progress made during the acute energy crisis.
What is new?
Following feedback on requirements from HHU members, the opening times of the Law Library will be extended, as it is particularly important for students to be able to work with books that cannot be taken out of this library. The university sports association is now once again offering activities in the sports halls and fitness centre on Saturdays as a contribution towards ensuring a lively campus culture. Following positive experiences, the concentration of weekend seminars in energy-efficient buildings, in particular 23.21, will be continued.
“In the summer, we will continue the measures in energy-intensive areas as, although we will obviously save on heating, more energy will be consumed by air conditioning systems, e.g. in the laboratories or library,” explains Maximilian Oehler, sustainability expert at Division 6. Decisions on opening times for the University and State Library sites will also be based on usage figures.
Initial statistics reveal successes
A comparison of statistics from the 4th quarter of 2022 and the 4th quarter of 2019 shows that we have achieved savings on heating of approx. 15% and savings on electricity consumption of approx. 13%. These savings have primarily been achieved through technical and organisational measures. “We would like to thank all members of HHU whose actions have contributed to this success,” says Dr Sönke Biel, Head of Facility Management, who recently presented the initial statistics to the Senate and at the staff meeting.
Savings on heating of a further 2% will also be realisable in the short term through the return to recirculating air operation mode in the ventilation systems in the lecture theatres, sports halls and central library as this is more economical than fresh air supply mode, which the ventilation systems were set to during the coronavirus pandemic. “We currently expect to be able to achieve savings of 25% each on both heating and electricity by 2026,” continues Dr Biel. Ongoing monitoring of energy consumption will regularly document our progress towards our goal of becoming a climate-neutral university.
Please contact the Heine-Center for Sustainable Development (HCSD) at if you have any questions or suggestions.
More up-to-date information: www.hhu.de/energie