The SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) has officially updated public sector organisations on their progress towards the 2020 targets. These ambitious targets aim for a 33% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020 from a baseline of 2006-2008. As you can see below, based on 2014 data, UCD are currently at 19.5%. This is excellent progress and just ahead of target.
We would like to thank all of you who played an invaluable role in helping to achieve this result by switching off equipment and lighting when not needed.
We are hoping that the results for 2015 are just a good, and with our switch off campaign being very successful to date, with savings currently estimated to be in the region of €60,000, there are signs that it will be! The Christmas period, with the University closed for 11 days (including weekends), offers us a great opportunity to both end 2015 well and begin 2016 as we mean to go on.
So this Christmas before you leave, please switch of all non-essential equipment and lighting. Did you know that equipment on standby, such as projectors, monitors, computers, printers etc. still consume up to 20% of the electricity they would have consumed if they were fully on? Switching off at the socket where possible is a good way to ensure that there is no “vampire” power being used.
Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year!
UCD Energy Unit