University Saves Energy Thanks to Number of Measures

Comenius University Bratislava carried out inspections at various university workplaces to see how energy-saving measures are implemented. The Internal Audit Unit of the Rectorate found that the consumption of electricity, natural gas and centrally distributed heating collectively decreased by 6.5% - 15.5%. Several workplaces are introducing additional measures with the potential of even greater savings in the future.


21. 06. 2023 09.00 hod.
By: CU External Relations Office

In September 2022, CU’s Rector issued an instruction to save 10-15% of energies consumed by all parts of the university. The measures included, among others, installation of motion sensors for lighting, optimisation of light sources, installation of energy-saving luminaries, reduction of indoor temperatures during heating season, cutting the number of appliances and elimination of high-consumption appliances. Furthermore, buildings were put in energy-saving mode at certain times and remote work was more frequently used. The university also produced an awareness campaign to save energy aimed at staff and students.

The auditors set 2019 as the reference year for their energy-savings audit, because energy consumption in 2020 and 2021 was affected by the pandemic.

In 2022, demand for electricity at the Rectorate decreased against 2019. Even though the 2022 electricity consumption figures include two new sites, the Training and Education Facility in Modra-Piesok and CU Infocentre, total electricity demand of the Rectorate decreased by 15.5%. The rectorate’s natural gas consumption was lower by 10.1%. The demand of heat from the central heating system decreased by 6.5%.

Between 2019 and 2022, trends in energy consumption varied among the faculties. At three faculties, electricity consumption increased. Overall, however, consumption at 13 faculties decreased by 9.8%. Similarly, natural gas demand of the faculties and the rectorate decreased by 10.3%. Faculties needed 6.5% less heat from the central heating system.

University parts adopted their own, individual energy-saving measures. At specialized workplaces, the range of measures applied needed to reflect their specific needs – times of operation, need for lighting or maintaining constant temperatures in the interiors. Workplaces therefore implemented energy-saving measures differently and a number of other measures are being developed. Overall, however, Comenius University and particularly the Rectorate, were able to achieve substantial savings due to well-designed energy-saving measures.