Energy, water and carbon management

Why is saving energy important?

• Reduce our contribution to climate change: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 20,000 tonnes of CO2 are emitted each year through the use of energy at the University.
• Conserve dwindling oil resources: Oil and gas are finite fossil fuels that won’t last forever. The energy used at the University each year would supply about 8,000 homes, enough for a small town.
• To reduce our annual utility spend: By making savings we can invest in more teaching and research.  The University currently spends £5.5 million per year on utilities, equivalent to £2,000 per year for each member of staff.

What is the University doing?

• The University has a full time Energy Manager, Godfrey Whitehouse, who is responsible for formulating and implementing the University's Energy Policy, monitoring and targeting energy consumption and costs, increasing awareness of energy issues among staff and students and identifying opportunities to increase energy efficiency.
• The University Council has recently approved the new Carbon Management Plan (v8) which commits the University to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. 
• We have a detailed action plan to deliver these savings.
• We have developed a Carbon Management Plan 2010-2020.
• We will spend over £1 million on energy efficiency over a 4 year period.  The University is investing this money in the latest energy and water management technology and is taking opportunities to upgrade buildings and equipment to reduce energy consumption and associated climate change emissions.
• “Much of the heating is controlled by a central energy management system which allows engineers to monitor and control temperatures and operating hours, in line with the Heating Policy - Non-Residential Buildings.
• We hold regular events to raise staff and student awareness.  Visit the Energy Week 2008 pages to see an example.
• For the fourth year running, the University has exceeded its target of reducing weather corrected carbon dioxide emissions by at least 2% per year. Thanks to the efforts of staff and students in turning off lighting and appliances and controlling heating, actual emissions were reduced by 1% in spite of a very cold winter. After correcting for weather variations, emissions were reduced by a whopping 6%, saving the equivalent of 1,200 tonnes of CO2. Since 2004/5 we have saved 6,600 tonnes of CO2.

Water consumption

The University uses about 270 million litres of water per year at a cost of about £1.4m. Consumption has been reduced by over 40% since 2005 through repairing leaks and installing electronic urinal flush controls but there is more to be done such as installation of modern low flush volume toilets.

What can you do?

If everyone at the University switched off equipment when not required, we could reduce our electricity consumption by around 10%.  By taking the following steps you can help reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and make a real difference.

• Switch off lights when not required
• Set your monitor to automatic power down
• Unplug computers and mobile phone chargers when not in use
• Buy “A” rated energy efficient appliances
• Report overheating, dripping taps and energy wastage to the Campus Services Helpdesk on ext 4552
• Set your Thermostatic Radiator Valve to No. 3 and maintain a constant temperature in your office. 
• Talk to colleagues about helping each other to save energy and reduce wastage. From 2009, energy and water efficiency will form part of our University Bonus Scheme so it is in our interest to do what we can to reduce consumption and costs.

To find out more download our "What can you do" leaflet.

If you have any suggestions for saving water or energy or would like further information, please email Godfrey Whitehouse.