UTS has one of the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets of any Australian university - to reduce emissions 30% by 2020/21 based on 2007 levels. To help achieve this we have embarked on the following:
Renewable energy
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.”
We are investing in renewable energy, installing solar panels on our own city rooftops, as well as contracting directly with solar farms in regional NSW. Our goal is to demonstrate leadership in urban solar and renewable energy contracting, to be a leader among Australian universities. Our projects so far include;
| INSTALLATION | NUMBER OF PANELS | CAPACITY | DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building 11 roof top | 72 panels | 21.6 kw | 2014 |
| Also on Building 11 | Solar thermal technology | 10 kw | 2014 |
| Singleton solar farm, stage 2 | 3,333 panels | 200 kw | Contract with XYZ solar |
| 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 |
| Total capacity so far | 4383 panels | 519.6 kw | 2014-2017 |
Energy saving
We recently invested $9 million to improve energy efficiency of existing buildings including:
- New sensor lighting switching off automatically when rooms are empty
- New energy efficient light fittings and bulbs, including LEDs
- New energy management software to help better manage energy demand
- Air-conditioning upgrades, including switching from electricity to gas with a lower carbon footprint
- Behaviour change programs to encourage students and staff to get involved though ‘switch-off’ campaigns, Earth Hour, and similar events
- New lifts in the tower building
The UTS 2013-21 Energy and Greenhouse Plan (pdf) provides more detail on current actions.
New buildings opened since 2014 all incorporate best practice energy use.
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 to Facilities Management or email: maintenance.request@uts.edu.au
- Spread the word to friends and colleagues about not wasting energy.