Corporate Sustainability Benchmarking in Academia …
151
(b) Energy
The EACs have energy management systems on site and strive or have obtained
carbon-neutrality through the use of energy saving measures such as low power
consumption devices and on-campus combined heating/power generation plants
based on natural gas. Efforts to reduce costs through energy saving, reduced emissions and potential opportunities to energy export electricity to the national systems
are the main influencers in their initiatives.
SCC report their sole source of energy to be electricity from the national grid,
with no campus’ energy management systems being used. All indicate interests in
renewable energy research such as solar photovoltaic energy, but little of this appears
to be contributing to the corporate energy requirements of the individual campuses.
It should be noted that these campuses (as the most of facilities and residences in
the country) benefit from a largely predominance of renewable energy that makes
up the Brazilian power matrix. Currently, 83% is generated from renewable primary
sources, with 63% alone being supplied by hydroelectric power plants.
4
(c) Water conservation and protection
In line with most developed universities, EACs provide not only the normal toileting
and hygiene stations across the campus but also accommodation, sport facilities
including swimming pools & showers, restaurants, research laboratories that are
all significant consumers of water. As with energy consumption, cost saving is a
significant driver to conservation of water with well-known practices being employed
such as:
• Early detection of leaks through metering and regular maintenance checks and
repairs.
• Water saving devices such as low-flow faucets and showerheads, dual flush toilets,
and waterless urinals across campus.
• Replacement of older equipment such as washing machines with newer, energy
star models, which use nearly 50% less water.
• Planting of native and adaptive plant species used across campus to minimize
irrigation water usage, and a computerized irrigation system capable of adjusting
water usage based on weather and rainfall patterns.
• Wastewater is deposed of according to the regulations of the local water
management authority.
The established SCCs indicate that there are initiatives focused on avoiding
water wastage especially where swimming pools, hygiene, cleaning, cooking and
other high-usage facilities are present. Nevertheless, it is not clear if any rigorous
management system for metering and leak detection is in place.
4 Source: the National Electrical Energy Agency (Aneel).
151
(b) Energy
The EACs have energy management systems on site and strive or have obtained
carbon-neutrality through the use of energy saving measures such as low power
consumption devices and on-campus combined heating/power generation plants
based on natural gas. Efforts to reduce costs through energy saving, reduced emissions and potential opportunities to energy export electricity to the national systems
are the main influencers in their initiatives.
SCC report their sole source of energy to be electricity from the national grid,
with no campus’ energy management systems being used. All indicate interests in
renewable energy research such as solar photovoltaic energy, but little of this appears
to be contributing to the corporate energy requirements of the individual campuses.
It should be noted that these campuses (as the most of facilities and residences in
the country) benefit from a largely predominance of renewable energy that makes
up the Brazilian power matrix. Currently, 83% is generated from renewable primary
sources, with 63% alone being supplied by hydroelectric power plants.
4
(c) Water conservation and protection
In line with most developed universities, EACs provide not only the normal toileting
and hygiene stations across the campus but also accommodation, sport facilities
including swimming pools & showers, restaurants, research laboratories that are
all significant consumers of water. As with energy consumption, cost saving is a
significant driver to conservation of water with well-known practices being employed
such as:
• Early detection of leaks through metering and regular maintenance checks and
repairs.
• Water saving devices such as low-flow faucets and showerheads, dual flush toilets,
and waterless urinals across campus.
• Replacement of older equipment such as washing machines with newer, energy
star models, which use nearly 50% less water.
• Planting of native and adaptive plant species used across campus to minimize
irrigation water usage, and a computerized irrigation system capable of adjusting
water usage based on weather and rainfall patterns.
• Wastewater is deposed of according to the regulations of the local water
management authority.
The established SCCs indicate that there are initiatives focused on avoiding
water wastage especially where swimming pools, hygiene, cleaning, cooking and
other high-usage facilities are present. Nevertheless, it is not clear if any rigorous
management system for metering and leak detection is in place.
4 Source: the National Electrical Energy Agency (Aneel).