Five light bulbs hanging next to each other, only the middle one lights up

Energy-saving measures at the University of Bayreuth

The current energy crisis also has an impact on the operation of the University of Bayreuth. For the year 2022, we anticipate an increase in total energy costs – i.e. for electricity, heating, cooling and natural gas.

Successes already achieved in collective efforts to save energy that go beyond the government-mandated energy-saving measures:

The intense focus on the topic of "energy" and the urgent appeal to save energy have helped to create and strengthen a communal energy-sensitive awareness at the University of Bayreuth. This is indispensable in view of the current energy price increases and to prevent an energy shortage situation, and it also fundamentally supports the sustainability of university operations. In addition, the currently extremely high costs for energy sources also provide an incentive to save energy. Unfortunately, the University of Bayreuth has not yet received any special funding - in contrast to other universities in other federal states - and must therefore cover the additional costs for energy from its regular budget. This also gives reason to critically examine what consumption is taking place at the University of Bayreuth and where a reduction might even be possible without affecting operations.

FAQs on the current situation and the political situation

We have already implemented the following:

We would like to thank everyone who has made their personal contribution and all the larger areas and units who have contributed to the following consumption optimization with their ideas and measures.

A woman looks into a microscope

Laboratory areas

By raising awareness among research groups – also in the context of targeted energy consultations –  optimized energy consumption has already been achieved in various laboratories, e.g. by adjusting working temperatures or equipment operating times.





A man is working at a PC.

IT and media infrastructure

Significant savings have already been achieved by restructuring energy-intensive servers, blade centres and high-performance computers. In addition, the automatic shutdown of unused computers in the PC pools and the activation of the energy-saving modes of projectors and other media technology at the University of Bayreuth have been optimized.


Greenhouses of the Ecological-Botanical Garden in winter.

Greenhouses (ÖBG)

In individual greenhouses, savings could be achieved by reducing the temperature for heating or raising the temperature for cooling by two degrees in each case and shutting down a foil greenhouse on the heating side, without harming the plants that are the subject of research and teaching. In addition, measures are already being worked on for a more energy-sensitive solution for cooling the greenhouses in summer through shading and insulation.

Three women eating together in the Cafeteria at the University of Bayreuth

Cafeteria

In addition to the measures for reduced heating or cooling or ventilation, it was possible to take several larger cold rooms out of operation in the Frischraum area through redensification. The energy-saving measures are also evident on a smaller scale. For example, the self-serve refrigerators in the Frischraum are now only used for storing and presenting drinks (without refrigeration).


Stylised light bulb

Lighting

Throughout the University, the process of converting the lighting to LED, which began several years ago, continues to progress. We would also like to thank all the departments and working groups that have made purchases (conversion of LED lighting) from their own funds, which also help to reduce energy consumption.




The picture shows the campus of the University of Bayreuth from a bird's eye view.

Energy Task Force

Sincere thanks also go to all the contributors to the Energy Task Force. With their scientific knowledge and technical know-how, they have contributed to the development of a reliable set of data covering the various energy requirements at the University of Bayreuth. Based on this, they have developed and implemented various energy-saving solutions and measures that also take individual characteristics into account.

Current energy-saving measures at the University of Bayreuth

As the University of Bayreuth, we want to be prepared for any energy bottleneck that may occur and for the increased and possibly further rising energy costs. Therefore, we have already implemented centrally controlled energy-saving measures.

In addition, each person can individually contribute to saving energy in all our buildings, e.g. by saving lighting or heating in offices and rooms for teaching events. With optimised usage behaviour, savings of approx. 5% are possible as a result.

Further savings can certainly also be achieved in the natural sciences and engineering laboratories, which by their nature have particularly high energy consumption. The people working here are familiar with the respective technical equipment and can therefore decide in the best possible way which measures are appropriate and target-oriented.

The UBT is doing everything in its power to continue university operations throughout the winter without major restrictions – this applies especially to teaching in attendance! However, it is indispensable that we as the University of Bayreuth get through the winter prudently with regard to energy consumption! Let us be proactive! We therefore expressly ask for your individual support in this endeavour!

Centrally managed measures

Individual energy saving

The principle in all considerations has always been: we proceed prudently, plan precautionarily and for various eventualities, and involve all those affected. Overall, we hope to be well positioned for the coming months with an emergency plan for energy at the University of Bayreuth that has been developed in the TaskForce, because both announced changes in the energy supply and sudden events, such as a spontaneous power blackout, have been considered in the best possible way.

University Provost Dr Nicole Kaiser in an interview about the current energy-saving measures at the University of Bayreuth.