VU Amsterdam is to cut energy use by 20%. Will you help us?

This is necessary because energy prices have risen dramatically, and it saves several million at VU Amsterdam.

Saving 20% is a big step. We believe it’s possible, but we do need your help. Technical and IT solutions will of course account for the bulk of the savings, but little things help as well so we are calling on you to contribute your ideas and support!

For instance, please always switch off your PC/monitor and, if possible, your heating (but we realise not every room has a button). Close the door behind you when you leave. Many rooms are equipped with a motion sensor. If the door is open, the light will stay on.

The effect of big numbers

The energy used by our building's accounts for 20-30% of our total use, because lots of people visit the campus. But lots of people can also save lots of energy! If many people cut their consumption by a little bit, this will have a major impact.

Measures we’ve already taken

The following measures will take effect shortly.

1. The heating will be turned on later (one hour after the buildings open) and off earlier (one hour before closing time). It may, therefore, be a bit colder when you arrive at your workplace in the morning.
2. Central heating will be turned down by one degree and we are looking into lowering the temperature of the manually operated radiators as well.
3. We will start using rooms more efficiently, for example by closing some floors, wings and buildings in the evening.
4. Ventilation is turned on when a building opens and off when it closes.
5. Facade lighting has been defaulted to off after closing time and this also goes for as much of the centrally operated indoors lighting as possible. It goes without saying that we do keep safety on campus in mind. Lamp posts will therefore remain on.
6. Smart lifts in the Main Building recover some of the energy used. The lifts generate electricity when they go down and come to a standstill, which reduces the total amount of energy they use.
7. We are identifying spikes in energy use and trying to reduce or avoid those because the connection fees (part of the energy charges) are calculated based on these spikes.
8. We are analysing building use during off-peak hours and closely scrutinising what can be switched off at night. This may include copiers and coffee and vending machines (manually), as well as monitors (automatically).

Energy Taskforce

Both VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC, VUmc location have appointed Energy Taskforces, which devise new measures and monitor the implementation of these measures under the supervision of the Energy Coordination Centre (CCE).

The CCE has set up an additional taskforce of its own, which also investigates measures to save energy, for example by decreasing heat production and increasing efficiency of existing installations. All measures are discussed and monitored in an umbrella taskforce, under command of the CCE.

More information

More information will be published in VUzine and at vu.nl/sustainability in the months to come.

If you have any ideas, please send an email to communicatie.fco@vu.nl