The trifecta of energy renovation
Environment, economy and comfort. This could be the motto of the vast building energy renovation project launched by the University of Montpellier. This unprecedented operation, which began last April with the renovation of the largest building on the Triolet campus, is a concrete expression of the university's strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.
It's one of UM's largest buildings, and undoubtedly the most imposing on the Triolet campus. Home to six lecture theaters, 43 classrooms and the Language Department, Building 5 - with its 2,000-student capacity - is the first stage in an energy-efficiency renovation project unprecedented in the University's history. The symbolic significance of this building is all the greater given that " it was within its walls that the very first class in the history of this campus was held in 1964 ", explains Bernard Maurin, vice-president in charge of real estate and sustainable development.
All winners
Begun in April this year, the work, steered by the real estate department, focuses on the building envelope: insulation of walls and roof, replacement of windows. " We're aiming for a triple objective with this first project", says the vice-president. A halving of energy consumption, with a consequent reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions, but also a reduction in operating costs reinforced, for example, by the installation of LED lighting equipped with presence detectors.
"What we also want, over and above the environmental and economic gains, is to improve comfort and working and study conditions, particularly in summer and winter. It's a win-win situation. The renovations also provide an opportunity to address other issues, such as accessibility for people with reduced mobility, thanks to the installation of elevators, and compliance with the latest safety standards. As for the bill, it amounts to " around 8.5 million euros, financed within the framework of the State-Region plan contract, with a contribution from the University ", explains Bernard Maurin.
Progressive rehabilitation
The refurbishment of Building 5 comes just a few months after the opening of Science Village A. A low-energy building built in compliance with the latest environmental standards, it too is part of this real estate transition trajectory, one of whose objectives, through the refurbishment of existing buildings or the construction of new ones, remains the reduction of our carbon footprint.
A second major energy renovation project is about to get underway at the Nîmes and Montpellier-Sète IUTs. The same will then be done on other campuses: Faculty of Pharmacy, Botany Institute in the city center, Physics Laboratories and Science Village B on Triolet.
Choosing the energy transition
This investment in real estate is in line with the University of Montpellier's energy supply policy, which, for example, consists of 50% electricity from renewable sources. " Our contract with our supplier guarantees that for every kilowatt-hour consumed, they will inject half a kilowatt-hour of wind- or solar-generated electricity back into the grid," continues Bernard Maurin.
The Richter campus has also just been connected to the metropolitan heating network, fed by the two wood-fired boiler plants at Antigone and Polygone, with a 100% regional supply and ultra-efficient flue gas treatment. " These buildings were previously heated with gas, and this not only helps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while reducing our dependence on this fossil fuel, but also lowers operating costs by benefiting from reduced VAT and the cessation of maintenance on 8 boilers ".
With the other sites already connected (including the IUT and the Faculty of Medicine in Nîmes, and the Triolet campus), almost half of the UM's 500,000m2 are connected to eco-labeled heating networks, or those using mainly renewable energies. " We seize the opportunity of this type of connection whenever possible, particularly within the framework of partnerships with local authorities. It's a strong point in the establishment's energy transition strategy.