UNSW was the first Australian university to sign the Greenhouse Challenge Agreement. It is committed to improving energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making a real difference. For three years in a row, UNSW has used less electrical energy per square metre of floor space than the year before, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,500 tonnes.
UNSW achieved this important result through a range of measures. It has -
Installed a state of the art photovoltaic array covering the roof of the main Quadrangle building that has reduced electricity use and provided a demonstration model of a renewable energy source on campus.
Used solar gas and natural gas to replace electrical hot water heating wherever practical. UNSW is also planning to increase on-site power generation using natural gas. The aim is to gradually increase the present 20 percent contribution of gas to total energy supplies to around a quarter by 2010.
UNSW is also working to ensure that renewable sources, both on and off-campus provide 7.5 percent of its energy demand by 2010.
Improved maintenance schedules so machinery and lighting is running efficiently. New lighting technologies are being progressively introduced such as the replacement of halogen lights with CFLs.
Adopted and is now investing in an Energy Savings Action Plan. Many projects under this plan payback the original investment within three years and provide lasting energy savings and emissions reductions.
