Energy Conservation Plan: “Moving Toward the Best Possible Balance”
Investments and energy-efficiency renovation projects, adjustments to the institution’s operations, and fostering individual and collective accountability—these are the three pillars of the energy conservation plan for the “UM ,” which was presented to the board of directors on January 30. Bernard Maurin, vice president in charge of 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 increase is also linked to the climate and environmental crisis, which requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The government and our parent 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 structural problems. This plan builds on the fundamental measures theUM has been implementing for several years to control its energy consumption. For example, half of our facilities have been connected to district heating networks, which has already helped to partially “cushion” the impact of this crisis.
To better understand the issues, how much will this increase in energy rates cost the university?
UM ’s energy bill increased by approximately 2 M€ in 2022 compared to 2021 (5.3 M€), and projections for 2023 suggest another increase of more than 7 M€! This energy conservation plan is therefore the strategy that will enable us to meet the 10% reduction target set by the government.
So, this austerity plan— what does it entail? Are you considering, for example, closing a campus, as other universities have done?
No, we are not considering that. 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 closures 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 address 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 so?
The first step is to issue recommendations to staff and students to raise their awareness, engage them, and encourage them to take 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 units at the end of the day, switch off the lights whenever you leave a room, and unplug electrical devices (computers and monitors, chargers, etc.) at the end of the day or during extended periods of non-use. Do the same for “energy-intensive” equipment in research laboratories or classrooms (fume hoods, exhaust vents, etc.).
The second area concerns the operation of the institution itself. Can you give us some concrete examples?
Our goal here is to take a more “comprehensive” approach by adjusting how our university operates. Thus, for buildings whose heating is managed by the Real Estate Management Department or by an academic unit, the heating settings are adjusted directly (19°C on weekdays, 16°C on weekends, and 8°C during school breaks), with a reduction in the heating period. Hot water will also be turned off in classrooms and restrooms, unless necessary.
You're talking about heating, but electricity is also an issue…
The situation with 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 ways to reduce energy use on a case-by-case basis. Research infrastructure is a major challenge. Examples include cleanrooms, ultra-low-temperature freezers, high-performance computing servers, etc.
Are there any plans for longer-term investments?
Yes, this plan is not only focused on usage patterns; it also reinforces the investments made by theUM to accelerate energy-efficiency improvements. This brings us to our third priority, which is to invest in energy efficiency in line with and as a continuation of our strategy of continuous improvement and consumption management. To this end, theUM has successfully secured significant funding and has been taking action for several years: the “Opération 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 photovoltaic systems for self-consumption 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 as part of the 2021–2027 CPER.