Engaging Students in Energy Management

Albert Young

Energy Conservation Officer

University of GlasgowBristol 14 September 2004

Energy and SustainabilityEnergy and sustainability issues are of increasing

importance to Universities Energy reduction is of particular importance because

of the emissions associated with its production & use Kyoto has galvanised the UK government and EU

into taking action• EU Emissions Trading Scheme

• Government energy target (60% reduction by 2050)

• Generator renewables obligation

University of Glasgow

• Large University - 25,000, 300 buildings,1451

• Signatory to the Talloires Declaration and Copernicus Charter affirming our support for SD

• Annual Utility spend £3.5m - £2m on electricity

• 50% of power from green sources

• Energy approach to campus has been energy efficiency accredited (1998)

Principal areas of Energy Management focus

• Energy procurement • Energy efficiency investment Cost reduction of £3.2m

achieved to date from energy purchasing savings and reinvestment in energy efficiency

• Monitoring of bills and consumptions ~£64k p.a. reclaim from utility suppliers

• Raising energy awareness by various methods including inductions, fresher publicity,campaigns and videos

Student representation on Energy Management Committee

Students as a resource in campus energy management

StudentEngineering (M&E)

Project WorkEnergy auditing, power

studies, modelling, equipment testing. (9)

Energy awareness campaigns (3)

Marketing

Others Sustainability web-sitePsychology student (Solving

the problem of energy conservation at GU through the utilisation of a conceptually pluralistic problem solving model)

Development of Awareness Campaign

• How do we start converting people to reduce waste

• Energy awareness campaign grew incrementally– Poster campaign – An energy awareness day campaign– Subsequent events were expanded to week long

campaigns

• Methodology developed in conjunction with the Business School - 3 final year marketing dissertation projects based on energy conservation

Student input to campaigns

• All round involvement – planning, people (press office, rector, media services, printers, student press etc), deadlines

• Creative ideas – design of publicity material - posters, wall planners etc

• Market research – evaluation exercises- did we speak with one voice, determine what students want

• Enthusiasm

Energy Awareness Campaign ResultsEvent Building/Faculty %Saving

Energy Savings Day29/2/96

Joseph BlackVeterinary Faculty

15.016.3

Energy Savings Week1996/97 - Feb

BowerBoyd OrrDavidsonRankine

StairWest Medical

Wolfson

9.58.33.12.07.6

13.211.3

Energy Savings Week1997/98 - Mar

Gilbert ScottAnatomy

Hetherington

6.210.58.8

Energy Savings Week2000/01 - Dec

Adam SmithBower

Gilbert ScottHetherington

James Watt SouthMathematics

8.26.88.99.04.56.4

Campaign Methodology

• Briefing meetings with staff held prior to the week emphasising the benefits of reducing waste

• Leaflets/flyers handed out (students) & articles in the University press exhorting staff and students to save energy by good house keeping

• Reinforced with e-mail address for comment and suggestions and Web page

• Awareness video produced in house

• £50 prize for the best energy saving suggestion

Staff and Student Suggestions

• Typically around 200 received by email– increase in sustainability awareness

• Ranging from Recycling of photocopy paper/ collection of rainwater from roofs

• To the use of miners lamps for cleaners/ the installation of tented ceilings

Briefing Meeting

So How Can You Help - draw parallel with energy use in the home

• It is easy to take control over lights, TV etc

• Insulation, heating controls, efficient lamps, check tariffs.

• Possible to save up to £300 per annum

Staff Influence

There are two main factors which influence energy performance on campus

• Building factors controlled by the Estate function e.g. services & fabric

• People factors - How occupants use a space.– Users have biggest influence on space types such as offices,

laboratories, book-stack areas, tutorial rooms & study bedrooms etc

User Actions To Save Energy• Think about how you use your desk top equipment

– Switch off computers at the end of the working day (80% reduction) and ensure power-down features are engaged

– A PC & printer left on permanently releases 1 tonne CO2 pa

• Switch off unnecessary lighting and use natural daylight– Save 30 Kg p.a.CO2 emissions by switching off a lamp for 1hr/day. – In laboratories switch off equipment when not in use

• Purchase energy efficiency appliances– Look at appliance energy labelling and take whole life costing taking

into account– Subsidy from energy budget for energy efficient equipment

• Report faults to Estates department

Good House-keeping Campaign

Flyer/Poster Design

Flyer/Poster Design

Summary of Energy Awareness Campaign Approach

• Overall objective - to develop a truly integrated marketing approach for the energy awareness campaign

• Definition of the problem - Lack of awareness on energy & environmental issues

• Target Market– New Student Community

– New Staff at Induction Phase

– Halls of Residence Students

– All Extant Staff and Students

• The Main Players

Fresher’s Bookmark Designs

Vehicles of Communication

Student dissertation work identified 18 avenues of communication

• Posters, bookmarks & leaflets, University Press, Payslip messages, Departmental presentations and meetings, e-mail.

• Web page with suggestions e-mail address, Prize for best suggestion

• Seek external sponsorship

Energy Awareness Campaign Conclusion

• Demonstrated a savings potential of ~ 10%

• Co-ordinated approach using academic and non academic expertise

• Target Market, Main Players, Method of communication

• Student input-valuable resource