Universities and research centres save up to 13% on electricity bill

Fifteen universities and research centres, integrated into the CSUC (Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya), saved up to 1.73 million euros in 2014, representing 13% of the total electricity bill. This reduction in spending is the result of, firstly, an innovative system in the public sector which is the purchase of electricity at variable rates by the consortium, and secondly, the economisation measures in electricity introduced by the participating institutes.

The lack of resources, the rise in energy prices and the constant changes in regulations force academic institutes to follow changes in prices, technologies and environmental factors which affect the cost of energy.

That is why the group decided to buy energy at a variable price from the Spanish company OMIE with the option of quarterly closures. Moreover, the economisation measures introduced by the centres have reduced the average yearly consumption of 130 GWh down to 120 GWh per year. These measures consisted in both reducing consumption and increasing efficiency through the monitoring and improvement of facilities.

Unnecessary expenses were also cut. Actions included grouping supply points, changing some from low to high tension, diverting consumption to more economic periods (e.g., from day to night), and adjusting the energy power contracted.

Continuity on 2015

The same system will be used in the year 2015, with quarterly closures and the incorporation of better practices in reducing consumption and energy efficiency.

The group is made up of the universities UAB, UPC, UPF, UdL, UdG, URV, UOC, FCRI, the UPF Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional, the Fundació UAB, the Institute of Photonic Sciences, the UdG Science and Technology Park, the Mediterranean Technology Park, the UAB Research Park and the CSUC. The University of Barcelona (including the schools Sant Jordi, Penyafort, Montserrat and Ramon Llull) will be joining the group in 2015.