Sustainability affects all aspects of the university. The laboratories have an important role to play in this context, as they use a lot of energy with a lot of technological equipment and generate a lot of waste due to the sterile conditions for research.
One of the current projects involves the university’s ultra-low temperature freezers. These work at particularly low temperatures (e.g. – 80 degrees Celsius). Projections have shown that there is great potential for energy savings in this field. The spectrum here ranges from reduction to the purchase of new equipment. However, important rules of behaviour, such as regular defrosting and sorting out, must not be neglected and must be implemented beforehand. In order to substantiate the calculations, it is now necessary to obtain sound evidence and facts. To this end, various laboratory and subject managers have agreed to take measurements on their refrigerators and make them available to us. Based on these, it will be possible to calculate specific annual consumption and thus also possible savings.
As the equipment is purchased by the individual laboratories, but the energy is provided by the university, there must be an incentive to address the issue. Ultimately, it is the university that realises the savings. Our aim is therefore to use the financial energy savings that the university would make with newer equipment to provide the laboratory managers with funding for the purchase of new equipment. We are also endeavouring to take stock of all the university’s ultra-low temperature freezers.
In addition to energy, waste management is a major area of the university that is affected by sustainability issues. In order to gain an overview of the current situation, expert discussions were held with various areas of the university. We came to the conclusion that there is also potential here to make the university fit for the future and fit for climate neutrality. We are currently working on the development of concrete measures and projects.
We always have an open ear and are happy to listen to suggestions for initiatives and projects. For general sustainability matters, our contact options are listed on the homepage. Ideas concerning the laboratories can be sent directly to the following person in our team.