Energy saving: joint action leads to success

Due to the geopolitical situation and the associated cost development in 2022, reducing energy consumption has been the top priority since last summer at the latest. This did not only affect the University of Kassel. Since September 1, the Hessian state government had issued a circular aimed at reducing energy consumption in public buildings. The aim was to use at least 15 percent less heating and 5 percent less electricity than in the previous year. On the one hand, the aim was to prevent the threat of a gas shortage during the heating season and, on the other, to keep the additional costs expected as a result of higher energy prices to a minimum. With a bundle of measures, the University of Kassel finally succeeded in reducing electricity consumption by 6 percent compared to the average consumption values of previous years.

"I am pleased that the targets set were not only achieved, but even exceeded. This was only possible because everyone contributed with their actions in solidarity by dealing responsibly with heating warmth and electricity consumption. I would like to thank all members of the university for this," said Oliver Fromm, Chancellor of the University of Kassel.

The University of Kassel was even more successful than with electricity in reducing heating consumption. Last year, it was 22 percent lower than the average in previous years and exceeded the Hessian state government's target by 7 percent. Heat energy consumption is evaluated on a climate-adjusted basis, so that any differences in temperature over the years have already been taken into account in the evaluation.
The task now must be to build on this successful record. After all, increasing energy efficiency is an essential building block for the sustainable development of university operations. In 2022, for example, reduced energy consumption resulted in around 1,100 tons less carbon dioxide being emitted than before. Oliver Fromm: "As a sustainability university, we set the course years ago and permanently identified many potential savings. We are benefiting from this. It is evident that the energy-saving measures meet with broad acceptance and that university operations are not impaired."

Contact:
Dirk Schnurr
University of Kassel
Energy Efficiency Manager
Department of Construction, Technology, Real Estate
Phone: +49 561 804-2162
E-mail: dirk.schnurr[at]uni-kassel[dot]de