The energy situation in Europe was more challenging during the autumn and winter than it has been for a very long time. This led the government to decide in September that government agencies must report and take measures to reduce their electricity use, a decision that also applies to the majority of Akademiska Hus' customers - Sweden's universities and colleges. For many years, Akademiska Hus has been working actively to make its buildings as energy efficient as possible, and the company is well on its way to achieving its goal of reducing the amount of energy supplied by 50 percent by 2025 compared to 2000. where electricity is an important factor. When a potential energy crisis was imminent, the company gathered strength and intensified that work further.
"We are proud to have been able to contribute with both short-term and long-term solutions in a difficult energy situation. Thanks to close cooperation with our customers, we have managed to reduce our electricity consumption by 10 million kWh nationally over the past six months, of which 1.9 million kWh at Lund University. It takes us one step closer to a climate-neutral business and shows that together we can make a big difference," says Andreas Kupenberg, Director of Technology and Service at Akademiska Hus.
Lund University at the top
In order to achieve such a large electricity saving in a short time, Akademiska Hus has mapped out which electricity grids can be turned off or controlled more efficiently, without disrupting customers' operations. The short-term measures have included reducing operating time and turning off equipment and lighting. At the same time, the company has implemented and sometimes brought forward more long-term measures.
Among the higher education institutions in the country where electricity use has been able to decrease the most, Lund University stands out, where the reduction amounts to just over eight per cent during the period. When the risk of power shortages was greatest in southern Sweden, Akademiska Hus, in close dialogue with Lund University, was able to develop solutions to temporarily reduce the power demand in addition to the electricity-saving measures that had already been implemented. Among other things, heat pumps were temporarily shut down and ventilation was lowered in some places on campus. Together, the measures reduced the purchased electricity output by 1 MW compared with the same period in previous years.
Behavioural changes a contributing factor
In addition, a great deal of focus has been placed on finding energy thieves in the premises together with Lund University and coming up with simple tips on how the students and researchers who spend time in the environments can contribute to saving energy. Among the tips were to turn off and turn off rooms that are not in use, close fume cupboards in the labs, not to open windows and to sit with others.
"It is gratifying that we have saved so much electricity. A power shortage would have created great difficulties and there is a great desire within the university to save electricity. Being able to reduce electricity consumption with commitment within the university and collaboration with Akademiska Hus is an experience that we will take with us in our continued work on energy efficiency," says Åsa Bergenudd, Head of Construction at Lund University.
Andreas Kupenberg
Direktör Teknik och Service