Engaging Students in Energy

Management

Albert Young
Energy Conservation Officer
University of Glasgow
Bristol 14 September 2004
 Energy and Sustainability
Energy and sustainability issues are of increasing
importance to Universities
 Energy reduction is of particular importance because
of the emissions associated with its production & use
 Kyoto has galvanised the UK government and EU
into taking action
• EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• Government energy target (60% reduction by 2050)
• Generator renewables obligation
 University of Glasgow
• Large University - 25,000, 300 buildings,1451
• Signatory to the Talloires Declaration and
Copernicus Charter affirming our support for SD
• Annual Utility spend £3.5m - £2m on electricity
• 50% of power from green sources
• Energy approach to campus has been energy
efficiency accredited (1998)
 Principal areas of Energy
Management focus
• Energy procurement
• Energy efficiency investment Cost reduction of £3.2m
achieved to date from energy purchasing savings and reinvestment in
energy efficiency
• Monitoring of bills and consumptions ~£64k p.a.
reclaim from utility suppliers
• Raising energy awareness by various methods
including inductions, fresher publicity,campaigns and videos

Student representation on Energy Management Committee

Students as a resource in campus
energy management
Student Project Work
Engineering (M&E) Energy auditing, power
studies, modelling,
equipment testing. (9)
Marketing Energy awareness
campaigns (3)
Others Sustainability web-site
Psychology student (Solving
the problem of energy conservation at GU
through the utilisation of a conceptually
pluralistic problem solving model)
Development of Awareness Campaign

• How do we start converting people to reduce

waste
• Energy awareness campaign grew incrementally
– Poster campaign
– An energy awareness day campaign
– Subsequent events were expanded to week long
campaigns
• Methodology developed in conjunction with the
Business School - 3 final year marketing
dissertation projects based on energy conservation
 Student input to campaigns
• All round involvement – planning, people (press office,
rector, media services, printers, student press etc), deadlines
• Creative ideas – design of publicity material - posters,
wall planners etc
• Market research – evaluation exercises- did we speak
with one voice, determine what students want
• Enthusiasm
 Energy Awareness Campaign Results
Event Building/Faculty %Saving

Energy Savings Day Joseph Black 15.0

29/2/96 Veterinary Faculty 16.3

Energy Savings Week Bower 9.5

1996/97 - Feb Boyd Orr 8.3
Davidson 3.1
Rankine 2.0
Stair 7.6
West Medical 13.2
Wolfson 11.3

Energy Savings Week Gilbert Scott 6.2

1997/98 - Mar Anatomy 10.5
Hetherington 8.8

Energy Savings Week Adam Smith 8.2

2000/01 - Dec Bower 6.8
Gilbert Scott 8.9
Hetherington 9.0
James Watt South 4.5
Mathematics 6.4
 Campaign Methodology
• Briefing meetings with staff held prior to the week
emphasising the benefits of reducing waste
• Leaflets/flyers handed out (students) & articles in the
University press exhorting staff and students to save
energy by good house keeping
• Reinforced with e-mail address for comment and
suggestions and Web page
• Awareness video produced in house
• £50 prize for the best energy saving suggestion
 Staff and Student Suggestions
• Typically around 200 received by email
– increase in sustainability awareness
• Ranging from Recycling of photocopy
paper/ collection of rainwater from roofs
• To the use of miners lamps for cleaners/ the
installation of tented ceilings
 Briefing Meeting
So How Can You Help - draw parallel with energy
use in the home
• It is easy to take control over lights, TV etc
• Insulation, heating controls, efficient lamps,
check tariffs.
• Possible to save up to £300 per annum
 Staff Influence
There are two main factors which influence energy
performance on campus
• Building factors controlled by the Estate
function e.g. services & fabric
• People factors - How occupants use a space.
– Users have biggest influence on space types such as offices,
laboratories, book-stack areas, tutorial rooms & study
bedrooms etc
 User Actions To Save Energy
• Think about how you use your desk top equipment
– Switch off computers at the end of the working day (80% reduction) and
ensure power-down features are engaged
– A PC & printer left on permanently releases 1 tonne CO2 pa

• Switch off unnecessary lighting and use natural daylight

– Save 30 Kg p.a.CO2 emissions by switching off a lamp for 1hr/day.
– In laboratories switch off equipment when not in use
• Purchase energy efficiency appliances
– Look at appliance energy labelling and take whole life costing taking
into account
– Subsidy from energy budget for energy efficient equipment
• Report faults to Estates department
Good House-keeping Campaign
Flyer/Poster Design
Flyer/Poster Design
 Summary of Energy Awareness
Campaign Approach
• Overall objective - to develop a truly integrated
marketing approach for the energy awareness campaign
• Definition of the problem - Lack of awareness on
energy & environmental issues
• Target Market
– New Student Community
– New Staff at Induction Phase
– Halls of Residence Students
– All Extant Staff and Students
• The Main Players
Fresher’s Bookmark Designs
 Vehicles of Communication
Student dissertation work identified 18
avenues of communication
• Posters, bookmarks & leaflets, University
Press, Payslip messages, Departmental
presentations and meetings, e-mail.
• Web page with suggestions e-mail address,
Prize for best suggestion
• Seek external sponsorship
 Energy Awareness Campaign
Conclusion

• Demonstrated a savings potential of ~ 10%

• Co-ordinated approach using academic and
non academic expertise
• Target Market, Main Players, Method of
communication
• Student input-valuable resource