Energy
Imagine a campus where we generate all our energy sustainably and use it smartly. Our outside spaces and buildings are the places where education, research and innovation come together. Here, students, staff members and collaboration partners work on new solutions for an energy-neutral future.
At Utrecht University, we work towards that vision every day. We need energy in the form of electricity, heating and cooling in order to study, work and keep our laboratories operational. However, our current energy consumption comes with carbon emissions and has a direct impact on the climate in the process. This is why we are reducing our energy consumption and are in the process of switching to sustainable sources.
Our ambition: a university with a carbon-neutral energy provision. No later than 2035, we will no longer be using natural gas and all our energy will come from sustainable sources.
Our approach
Good examples
Solar energy As many solar panels as possible on roofs, solar farms and solar carports.
Thermal energy storage (TES) We store heat and cold in groundwater for sustainable heating and cooling.
Biomeiler 2.0 A system in which organic material composts whilst producing heat
Sustainable laboratories Laboratories with lower energy consumption, less waste and less plastic.
Living lab Lumifield Students are investigating solar energy and storage in practice.
Future-proof buildings Healthy, energy-efficient and circular buildings for the future.
Want to find out more?
Listen to the episode ‘Thermal Energy Storage at Utrecht Science Park’ from the shortcast ‘Een Academisch Kwartiertje met...’ featuring Jolt Oostra, Energy Portfolio Manager, and Thomas Sweijen, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University.