Energy

Energy policy

Ghent University wants to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption and build and renovate fossil-free. This means working on more space and energy efficiency and switching to green energy.

• Energy policy plan 2020-2030 
• Follow-up report: 2022
• Check the consumption at your campus (contact milieu@ugent.be for information about your building)

Energy transition at your campus

We opt for fossil free construction and renovation, work on energy transition studies per campus that indicate the direction for the coming years and invest in green energy.

• What does Ghent University do for rational energy use?
• Which buildings are already (mostly) fossil-free? 
• Where are the solar panels?

Energy reduction at your office

Be smart with energy and don't waste it. Be the energy ambassador, the sustainability leader, the enthusiast, ... within your group and motivate others!

• Use the thermostatic valve in a good way: mode 3 is enough. if you ventilate the room, switch off the thermostatic valve.
• Close windows and doors in cold periods.
• Switch off lights when nobody is in.
• Share the dish washer, the fridge, the coffee machine, the multifunctional, ...
  
• Use sensibilisation tools

Energy reduction at your lab

Laboratories consume a lot of energy: the fume hoods, lab appliances, ultrafreezers, autoclaves, climate rooms, compressed air, etc. Be aware of this and follow the guidelines.

• Choose for energy-efficient appliances.
• Switch off appliances after use; ask a timer at energie@ugent.be.
• Report the purchase of appliances with a consumption of more than 10 kW and request advice at energie@ugent.be.
• Report defects or (expected) excessive consumption at energie@ugent.be (costs can be charged to the department).
• Follow the guidelines for an ultrafreezer.

Energy use in class rooms and meeting rooms

Classrooms and meeting rooms belong to everyone and no one. All the more reason to take responsibility and get people on board with these guidelines:

• Keep the windows closed in mechanically ventilated classrooms. You can recognize these by the instruction sheet at the desk. 
• Ventilate classrooms that are not mechanically ventilated. Open a window when the CO2 meter reads 900 ppm but ventilate completely when the CO2 meter reads 1200 ppm.
• Close all windows when leaving classrooms. Last winter, too many windows were left open at night and on weekends. 
• Turn off the lights.
• Turn off all equipment.

Energy reduction in student homes

• Use the thermostatic valve smartly: a setting 3 is sufficient. When you ventilate the room and open the windows, turn off the radiator valves.
• Close windows and doors in cold periods.
• Turn off the lights when absent.
• Use sensibilisation tools. 
• Become an energy ambassador and watch over sensible use of energy in your workplace, report situations of energy waste and suggestions at energie@ugent.be .