Stimulus package: UM receives almost 18 million euros for energy-efficient renovation of its buildings
Following on from the construction and renovation projects undertaken by the University as part ofOpération Campus and the Contrat de Plan État Région (CPER), the University of Montpellier submitted a number of projects in response to the call for projects launched by the French government last September as part of the economic stimulus plan known as " France relance ".
" Eleven of our projects have been selected for a total of 18 million euros. This success not only recognizes the reality of our needs, but also demonstrates the relevance and maturity of our proposals," says Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
A challenge for teams
The challenge for the teams was as great as the stakes, since the French government gave the establishments just one month to submit their projects. Three major energy and ecological renovation projects were highlighted: the main building of theUFR STAPS, several buildings on the pharmacy campus and a building on the Triolet site, buildings which " require major work to improve energy performance, as well as refurbishment and restructuring of the premises " points out Bernard Maurin, vice-president in charge of real estate and sustainable development.
The vice-president goes on to explain that "other less extensive operations have also been selected, with rapid gains, i.e. a return on investment in just a few years. These will involve replacing inefficient equipment such as boilers (Faculty of Law and Political Science, Station Méditerranéenne de l'Environnement Littoral de Sète, pharmacy campus) or windows (historic medicine building), as well as installing energy management systems (dual-flow air handling unit for building 5 Triolet, thermostatic valves in building A of the Nîmes medicine building, centralized technical management at the Saint-Priest mechatronics hall).
A tight schedule
However, all this work has to be carried out to a very tight schedule. " Contracts must be awarded before the end of this year, and operations completed before the end of 2023. That's another operational challenge," explains Bernard Maurin. " But we understand the logic, because it's also about boosting business activity and therefore employment ," continues Philippe Augé.
The University's teams will be fully mobilized over the coming months, in particular the real estate management and procurement departments." A specific organization has been set up to enable these projects to be carried out," adds Philippe Augé, emphasizing that: " Environmental and energy management issues are fundamental, and we thank the French government for helping us tomeet them. Let'snot forget that our infrastructure is a key factor in the attractiveness of our establishments," concludes Philippe Augé.