UniTrento maintains its commitment to sustainability: the electricity that powers University buildings comes 100% from certified renewable sources. A commitment that earned the University of Trento a certificate, awarded by Dolomiti Energia, that proves that energy is from renewable sources, generated without producing greenhouse gases.
An achievement for the University, which reduces its carbon footprint while encouraging its community to take further action in this direction.
The initiatives that have already been launched or are about to start are many. For example, four full electric cars have been purchased to gradually replace the old ones. And the University developed an awareness-raising tool on environmental issues: simple guidelines for daily actions to be taken in the office to reduce the consumption of energy. Staff and students are invited to set an appropriate room temperature, take the stairs instead of the elevator, turn off lights and monitors when leaving the room. The guidelines call for a responsible use of water resources and a reduction in the use of paper, even though the University uses 100% recycled paper. The guidelines also give advice on how to reduce the consumption of plastic, to maximize the collection of disposable cups from vending machines and to use water dispensers, to reduce the use of disposable bottles.
Two years ago, in accordance with its sustainability plan, the University created the "UniTrento sostenibile Green Office" as a think tank to explore and implement ideas that foster sustainability in many areas. Discussions and negotiations involve the delegate for environmental sustainability, student representatives and associations and entities that are committed to a sustainable University.
Yet the University now aims to take one step further in its commitment to a structured and efficient energy management, and that is why it has decided to appoint an Energy Manager.
The new hire, who will be a member of the Estates Directorate, will have to identify the actions and procedures necessary to promote a rational and efficient use of energy. By appointing this new staff member, the University fulfils its legal requirements but also demonstrates a genuine interest in environmental issues.
A more sustainable energy management
Buildings and systems at UniTrento are designed with a view to sustainability and the environment, using materials and technologies that increase energy efficiency (see for example the Mesiano University Library - BUM).
By the end of 2021, 114 thermal and electrical meters will be installed at different University locations to timely monitor energy consumption and create a solid database to plan further actions aimed at increasing the efficiency of buildings and air conditioning systems. All the metering data will be uploaded into the new CAFM software called "InfoCAD". This new application already contains the plans of all the buildings of the University, that is more than 300,000 square meters, and the upload of data regarding appliances and electrical systems is underway.
Finally, the heat management contract of the University includes repairs and new appliances amounting to about one million euro to renew the heating systems through more efficient heat generators and control and management systems.