Energy-Saving Measures at Campus St. Pölten

Increasing energy prices lead to higher costs for households and companies. In view of the current situation, the government has encouraged us to save energy wherever we can. The St. Pölten UAS has implemented a number of measures to reduce energy consumption as well.

We are aware of our role model function

“Universities are also feeling the considerable increase in energy costs. With these measures, however, we can do more than lower our costs. We take our responsibility to reduce our energy consumption very seriously. After all, as a university, we have a model function when it comes to sustainability”, says Johann Haag, Member of the Executive Board of the St. Pölten UAS.

The St. Pölten UAS has launched a taskforce for energy-saving measures. “We have also implemented an information campaign for staff members and students in order to motivate them to adopt a more energy-saving lifestyle. Energy-saving goals are best achieved together”, explains Haag.

Measures already in force include:

• Classrooms are aired and heated less during lecture-free periods.
• Screens and advertising boards are switched off during periods without teaching or events.
• The washbasins in the toilet facilities no longer use warm water.
• In the labs, unused devices are turned off via a central switch.
• Openly accessible PCs in computer rooms, lecture halls, and the library automatically shut down after two hours of inactivity.
• The timing of the motion detectors for the corridor lighting has been reduced to a minimum.
• The exterior lighting on the campus premises is now turned off between 22:00 and 6:00 (except for the escape route lighting).
• Printers go into sleep mode after a shorter period now.
• WLAN network components are deactivated during the nights.

Intensive Planning for Energy Shortage Scenarios

Moreover, the St. Pölten UAS has drawn up an extensive plan covering various types of energy shortage scenarios including a complete blackout.

Network of Sustainable Universities

Even apart from the current situation, environment and sustainability have always been core topics for the St. Pölten UAS. For example, the UAS is a founding member of the “Netzwerk Nachhaltige Hochschulen” (network of sustainable universities) launched in 2021.

The network is comprised of twelve universities of applied sciences that have set themselves the goal to pool their activities and work towards sustainability in a holistic manner and with reference to the UN’s Sustainability Goals together.

• Webnews network of sustainable universities