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:
| INSTALLATION | NUMBER OF PANELS | CAPACITY | DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building 11 roof top | 72 panels | 21.6 kW | 2014 |
| Orange solar farm | 242 panels | 60 kW | Contract with Pentagon Generation, 2017 |
| Yura Mudang student housing, Building 6 | 86 panels | 28 kW | 2017 |
| Building 4 | 224 panels | 73 kW | 2017 |
| Aerial Function Centre, Building 10 | 426 panels | 127 kW | 2017 |
| UTS Rugby Australia | 240 panels | 64 kW | 2017 |
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.”
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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.