Energy
Wind turbines on South Tower
Photo-voltaic panels on the roof of the west wing
Do you work in the Towers? If so, please refer to our heating instructions (PDF, 25kb) to make the most of the heating system.
What are we aiming for?
Energy
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Control, manage and reduce carbon emissions associated with our activities
- Purchase and utilise resources in a sustainable manner including energy and water
Our Carbon Reduction Targets
- Electricity - to reduce carbon emissions by 5% by 2013 and by 10% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline
- Gas - to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2013 and by 35% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline
Why is this important?
It's commonly agreed now that man's reliance on fossil fuels is causing climate change and air pollution. Reducing our carbon emissions wherever possible will help reduce the impact of the changes that may result from climate change. Raising the temperature of the planet means the increased likelihood of extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and long winters with resultant flooding and droughts,failing crops and poor health. The resultant loss of species and habitat further exacerbates climate change and the whole cycle starts again.
On a local level, we could see increased flooding, warmer winters, drier summers and more unpredictable weather patterns.
On top of all this are constantly increasing energy prices and the safety of the energy supply for the future. Every effort needs to be made to ensure the efficient use of the electricity and gas we import and also in the investigation and generation of clean energy and in renewable energy technology.
Why is this important at the University?
- By saving energy at the University you will be helping to secure our future economic success;
- Saving energy and cutting carbon will help meet our carbon reduction targets;
- Meeting the commitments contained in our Carbon Management Plan (pdf 402KB) ensures the continuation of further funding for the University.
Where are we now?
Between August 2011 to July 2012, our tutorial sites generated 7,482 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the use of electricity and gas. This means we are only 1,043 tonnes away from reaching our target for 2013 of 6,439 tonnes. Although overall, we reduced our emissions when compared to the previous year, our electricity consumption is still actually more than the baseline figure.
Did you know that 7,482 tonnes of carbon dioxide is enough to fill the new Wembley Stadium over 3 and a half times?
What are we doing?
- We are replacing our existing lighting fittings with LED lamps at Kedleston Road, along with automatic controls to ensure lamps are not burning unless they are needed.
- At Kedleston Road we have installed three different types of renewable energy. We are only the second place in the UK to have the particular model of wind turbines that we have on the south tower roof which are a horizontal axis design. The Quiet Revolution turbine on the main drive is a vertical axis turbine. This needs double the wind speed of the mini turbines on the roof to begin generating. This turbine qualifies for the Feed-in-Tarif which means we get money back for generating renewable energy. The photo-voltaic panels on the flat roof over the shops and the students union block cover 300 square metres of roof space and are performing better than expected. Generating over 20,000 units of electricity per year, these are generating the most electricity of all three technologies. With no moving parts, our PVs will generate electricity for up to 50 years.
- With support from our Environmental Champions we are carrying out an awareness campaign amongst our staff and students.
- Version 2 of our Carbon Management Plan (PDF, 402kb), is currently being reviewed to include our expanding estate portfolio, along with efficency actions identified in recent energy surveys.
- Switch off all electrical items whenever you leave a room unoccupied and overnight. Last last person out? switch it out... (or off). It's a myth that switching fluorescent lights on and off uses more electricity than leaving them on all the time.
- Switch off your lights when the daylight provides enough lighting.
- If you see a flickering fluorescent tube, report it to Estates Management (extension 1111) - they use more electricity in this condition than when they are working properly.
- Always turn your PC off at night. Staff PCs are not on automatic shut down. Leave it switched on at the socket though, to allow for software updates.
- Turn your PC monitor off whenever you leave a room. Leaving items on standby still uses energy.
- Only switch a printer on when you need it. This saves energy and helps reduce office pollution.
- Make sure printers are off at weekends and holidays.
- Always turn off mobile phone chargers and don't leave them plugged in at the socket once fully charged.
- Always turn the radiators down by the thermostatic radiator valves before opening windows to cool a room.
- Dress appropriately for the weather conditions and keep a jumper or cardigan to use before the need to turn the heating up arises.
- Only use air conditioning when necessary. An air conditioned room will use three times the electricity of a naturally ventilated room.
- Adjust blinds to keep out direct sunlight and open windows before the sun reaches your room to reduce the need for air conditioning.
- If you have to use air conditioning, make sure doors and windows are kept closed to prevent the loss of cooled air.
- Never have both air conditioning and heating on at the same time.
- Switch off heating and lighting when possible to reduce heat gains.
