Energy saving and energy efficiency: the University of Padua has adopted a plan to reduce consumption

On Tuesday, 25 October, the University of Padua adopted extraordinary measures to reduce energy consumption,as required by the Ministry of Ecological Transition’s (MITE) Ministerial Decree 383 of 6 October 2022, and by the“National Plan for the Containment of Natural Gas Consumption”,as well as an Energy-Saving Plan.The aim is to enhance the various actions undertaken by the University to reduce energy dependency and environmental impact, besides energy supply expenses.

With this initiative, the University of Padua plans on achieving the European objectives set out in the European Green Deal, particularly the binding goal of achieving climate neutrality in the European Union by 2050.
This will require a considerable reduction in current levels of greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades. As an intermediate step towards climate neutrality, the EU has raised its climate target for 2030, committing to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
The European strategy also includes reviewing the Renewable Energy Directive, increasing the target for energy production from renewable sources. By 2030, the share of renewable energy must be at least 40 per cent of all energy used, compared to the previous 32.5 per cent. Finally, the initiative, which is part of the Green Deal called “Ready for 55%” also includes reviewing the Energy Efficiency Directive. The new target for reducing final energy consumption (the amount of energy actually consumed by end users) will be 36% by the year 2030 (compared to the previous 32.5%).

At European level, the annual reduction in overall energy consumption of 1.9 per cent corresponds to a reduction target of approximately 190 TOE (equivalent to about 228,000 Smc of methane gas and 1,018,000 kWh of electricity) for the University. On a national level, the 7% reduction in methane gas consumption for the 2022-2023 heating season is equivalent to an approximately 210,000 Smc reduction in the use of gas for the University.

The plan contains short, medium and long-term actions and related indicators to measure their progress, to be annually updated on the basis of the results achieved.

More specifically, in the short term it envisages the adoption of organisational measures and the implementation of extraordinary energy containment measures, besides empowerment and awareness-raising of students and staff.
Long-term goals include reinforcing the numerous actions already underway, such as upgrading heating and cooling plants, replacing windows and doors, thermal insulation of roofs, replacing lighting fixtures and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

The planned investment of EUR 29.1 million over the three-year period will lead to an estimated saving of over 1,417.7 TOE (Tonnes of Oil Equivalent).
The resolution of the University’s Board of Directors also establishes that savings from implementation of the plan can be allocated, up to a maximum of 50 per cent, to incentivise research funds and the staff welfare fund.

Find out how you too can contribute to reducing energy emissions at home and in the University.

Check out the Energy-Saving Plan.