Energy Conservation Plan: "Striving for the Best Possible Balance"
Investments and energy-efficiency renovation projects, adjustments to the institution’s operations, and fostering individual and collective responsibility: these are the three pillars of the UM’s energy conservation plan, which was presented to the Board of Trustees on January 30. Bernard Maurin, Vice President for Real Estate, explains.
On October 6, the government released its energy conservation plan , which involves all government agencies. Why, and what are the implications for universities?
Since 2021, energy prices have been rising steadily. There are many reasons for this: the post-COVID recovery, the war in Ukraine, supply shortages—particularly for natural gas—and so on. This rise is also linked to the climate and environmental crisis, which requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The government and our overseeing ministry have therefore asked universities to reduce their energy consumption by 10% by the end of 2024.
Had the university anticipated this energy issue?
Yes, of course. The current situation only serves to exacerbate underlying structural issues. This plan builds on the fundamental measures the UM has been implementing for several years to reduce its energy consumption. For example, half of our facilities have been connected to district heating networks, which has already helped to partially mitigate the impact of this crisis.
To better understand the issues, how much will this increase in energy rates cost the university?
The UM’s energy bill increased by approximately €2 million in 2022 compared to 2021 (€5.3 million), and projections for 2023 suggest another increase of more than €7 million! This energy conservation plan is therefore the strategy that will enable us to meet the 10% reduction target set by the government.
So, what does this austerity plan what does it entail? Are you considering, for example, closing campuses like other universities?
No, we do not plan to do so. One principle has taken precedence above all else: maintaining the quality of public service as well as our quality of life at work and in our studies—that is, striving for the best possible balance between the continuity of our activities and the need for restraint. Thus, there will be no additional closure of the institution, unlike other universities that have made that choice, and no expansion of online instruction or remote work, which would do nothing to reduce the country’s energy consumption except shift part of it to the homes of staff and students!
Three key areas have been identified in this plan; the first focuses on individual action. How exactly?
The first step is to issue recommendations to staff and students to raise their awareness, encourage their participation, and foster a sense of responsibility. This sense of responsibility is aimed at ensuring compliance with “best practices,” most of which are already well known: limiting heating to 19°C and cooling to 26°C for those with individual climate control. Remember to turn off these devices at the end of the day, switch off the lights whenever leaving a room, and turn off electrical appliances (computers and monitors, chargers, etc.) at the end of the day or during prolonged periods of non-use. Do the same for “energy-intensive” equipment in research laboratories or classrooms (fume hoods, exhaust hoods, etc.).
The second area concerns the school’s day-to-day operations. Can you give us some specific examples?
Our goal here is to take a more “comprehensive” approach by adjusting how our university operates. Thus, for buildings where heating is managed by the Real Estate Department or by an academic department, heating settings are adjusted directly (19°C on weekdays, 16°C on weekends, and 8°C during holidays), with a reduction in the heating period. Hot water will also be turned off in the premises and restrooms, unless necessary.
You’re talking about heating, but electricity is also an issue…
The situation regarding electricity is more complex because the measures primarily address very specific issues (research, training, digital technology, etc.). This requires consultation with managers and on-the-ground stakeholders to conduct analyses and then identify potential reduction strategies on a case-by-case basis. Research infrastructure presents a significant challenge. For example, this includes cleanrooms, ultra-low temperature freezers, computing servers, etc.
Are there any plans for longer-term investments?
Yes, this plan is not solely focused on usage; it also builds on the investments made by UM to accelerate energy efficiency improvements. This reflects our third priority, which is to invest in energy efficiency in line with our strategy of continuous improvement and consumption management. To this end, UM has successfully secured significant funding and has been taking action for several years: the Campus Initiative, successive CPERs, recovery and resilience plans, and projects funded with its own capital…
What will change on campus?
Specifically, we will step up efforts to improve the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment and systems; install LED lighting while reducing the number of indoor and outdoor lights; remotely shut down computers in classrooms and administrative offices; install thermostatic valves and insulate attics and piping systems; and install more energy management systems and meters to monitor consumption. We also aim to connect other campuses to district heating networks. This will notably be the case for the Pharmacy and Arnaud de Villeneuve campuses in 2025. Feasibility studies on self-consumption photovoltaic systems will also be launched for several buildings.
And what about large-scale energy-efficiency renovation projects?
Large-scale real estate projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings and replacing equipment will continue and be expanded, particularly under the CPER 2021–2027.