Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... About UTS
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... UTS Vision
  4. arrow_forward_ios ... Initiatives
  5. arrow_forward_ios ... UTS Sustainability
  6. arrow_forward_ios Campus operations
  7. arrow_forward_ios Energy and greenhouse

Energy and greenhouse

explore
  • UTS Sustainability
    • Campus operations
      • arrow_forward Computers and IT
      • arrow_forward Energy and greenhouse
      • arrow_forward Household Energy Transition
      • arrow_forward Procurement
      • arrow_forward Special projects
      • arrow_forward Sustainable buildings
      • arrow_forward Transport
      • arrow_forward Waste and recycling
      • arrow_forward Water
    • arrow_forward Climate Positive Plan
    • Community engagement
      • arrow_forward Alumni
      • arrow_forward Events
      • arrow_forward Green hero awards
      • arrow_forward Green Week photo competition
      • arrow_forward Partnerships
    • arrow_forward Contact us
    • Governance
      • arrow_forward Awards
      • arrow_forward Goals and targets
      • arrow_forward Policy and strategy
      • arrow_forward Reports
      • arrow_forward Responsible investment
    • arrow_forward Research
    • arrow_forward Sustainability impact dashboard
    • Sustainable Development Goals
      • arrow_forward Global Goals Month
    • arrow_forward Teaching and learning
    • arrow_forward UTS sustainability news

Energy efficiency

The UTS Climate Positive Plan outlines targets and initiatives to help the university become carbon neutral by 2029, including a range of ways to reduce energy wastage. 

UTS monitors our energy usage with a network of meters across individual floors in all buildings to identify faults and energy leakage in real time. We conduct quarterly reviews to continually improve energy efficiency. 

In addition, UTS conducts fortnightly building optimisation meetings between the Facilities Management, Engineering and Sustainability teams to coordinate energy efficiency projects. Some of the key projects currently being undertaken to identify and reduce energy wastage include:

  • We are working with our internal AI team and external building analytics platforms to predict when a building's peak electricity demand is likely to occur. Preventative actions are then undertaken such as pre-cooling buildings during periods of low demand, reducing UTS's peak demand and energy spend. This also reduces the strain on the electricity grid shifting demand to periods to when the grid is being predominantly supplied by renewables;
  • Multiple Building Management System (BMS) optimisation projects are currently underway such as using BMS analytics to suggest corrective actions that can reduce energy wastage.
  • A master plan has been commissioned to electrify all fossil fuels used for domestic hot water and space heating on campus. This will eliminate the use of fossil fuels being burnt and heat water much more efficiently.  
  • Building audits have been conducted to identify opportunities for LED upgrades. These upgrades as well as optimising lighting control strategies are currently being rolled out across campus. UTS has a plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption. 

The comprehensive UTS Design Guidelines help ensure all renovations and new buildings continually improve energy efficiency standards across the campus. 

In 2021 we achieved our target to reduce green house gas emissions by 30% based on 2007 levels. See more details here. 

Renewable energy

As more wind and solar farms are constructed NSW’s electricity grid is becoming cleaner. In addition, we are investing in renewable energy directly, installing solar panels on our own city building rooftops, as well as contracting with solar farms in regional NSW. In 2023 approximately 31% of our electricity came from renewable sources, equating to 13,207 MWh (47,546 GJ). So far our projects include:

INSTALLATIONNUMBER OF PANELSCAPACITYDATE
Building 11 roof top72 panels21.6 kW2014
Orange solar farm242 panels60 kWContract with Pentagon Generation, 2017
Yura Mudang student housing, Building 686 panels28 kW2017
Building 4224 panels73 kW2017
Aerial Function Centre, Building 10426 panels127 kW2017
UTS Rugby Australia240 panels64 kW2017

Haberfield Rowing Club


Botany Engineering Facility


Total capacity 

223 panels


1970 panels


3483 panels

99 kW


782 kW


1254.6 kW

2020


2020-23


2025

Fade into pan up of UTS Building 11 and UTS Tower building fade to black.

Fade in: text overlay; “The UTS Solar Journey” on time lapse of clouds reflected on UTS Building 8.

Drone footage of a solar farm in Singleton. Text overlay; “90% of UTS greenhouse gas emissions are from electricity. To help achieve our greenhouse gas reduction targets we’re transitioning to renewable energy. See our projects so far…” Text fades to text overlay; “Singleton Solar Farm. Panels: 3,333. Capacity: 200kW. Contract with XYZ solar: 2015.” Fade to black.

Fade in: a graph of the typical daily production of Orange Solar Farm in kW/h accompanied by text; “Orange Solar Farm. Panels: 242. Capacity: 60kW. Contract with Pentagon Generation: 2017.”

Fade to close up of solar panels on Building 11. Text overlay; “Building 11. Panels: 72. Capacity: 21.6kW. Installed: 2014.”

Building 11’s solar thermal panels rotating to face the sun. Text overlay; “Building 11. Solar Thermal. 10kW. Installed: 2014”

Low angle perspective of solar panels on the rooftop of Yura Mudang student housing, with men in high vis clothing climbing down a ladder onto the roof. Text overlay: “Yura Mudang – building 6. Panels: 86. Capacity: 28kW. Installed: 2017”

Pan down the length of the roof of Yura Mudang’s solar installation and up to the UTS tower.

Pan of building 4’s solar installation with some men in high vis clothing climbing up a ladder onto the roof. Text overlay; “Building 4. Panels: 224. Capacity: 73kW. Installed: 2017.”

Distant shot zooming out from the roof of building 4.

Men lifting solar panels and using power drills to install them. Text overlay; “Aerial Function Centre – Building 10. Panels: 426. Capacity: 127kW. Installation: 2017”

Zoom down completed solar installation on the roof of the Aerial Function Centre. Fade to black.

Fade into static wide shot of solar panels and wind turbine on the roofs of UTS building 11 and building 10. Text overlay, “So Far Total Capacity. Panels: 4383. Capacity: 620kW. 2014-2017.”

Close up of wind turbine and pan down the side of UTS Building 11. Fade to black.

Text fade in; “Our goal is to demonstrate leadership in urban solar and renewable energy contracting.”

Fade in wide shot of UTS building 11 and UTS tower building. Fade to black.

Text fade in; “More to come… Watch this space.”

No script 

Ways you can help

  • Turn off computers and monitors at the end of the day or when not in use
  • Choose natural light as much as possible, only turn on lights when necessary
  • Switch off lights as you leave empty rooms
  • Take the stairs instead of the lift
  • Choose CFL and LED bulbs for desk lamps
  • Turn off all machinery and lab or kitchen equipment when not in use
  • Don’t boil an entire kettle for one cup
  • Report faulty lighting and equipment by emailing maintenance.request@uts.edu.au
  • Spread the word to friends and colleagues about not wasting energy.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility