Australian report says universities can lead conversion to solar power

Universities should take the lead on green power

SYDNEY, Australia, October 12, 2005 (Refocus Weekly) The market for green power in Australia would increase by 20% if all universities in the country were to purchase one-fifth of their electricity from renewable energies.

“The university sector has the opportunity to reduce energy use by 20-30% through energy efficiency measures with rapid paybacks,” says the ‘University Clean Energy Report’ prepared by Greenpeace Australia Pacific. “The substantial financial savings from this can then be invested into the purchase of renewable energy to meet the 20% clean energy target and further reduce greenhouse emissions.”

“The combination of these two actions could deliver greenhouse savings of more than 40% for each university,” it concludes.

Electricity in Australia costs an average of 8c/kWh (Aus$80/MWh) and green power attracts a premium of 4c ($40/MWh), or a 50% price premium. To adopt the Greenpeace target of 20% from renewables by 2020, this would represent an annual price increase of 10%, it calculates.

If a group of universities were to bundle their green power requirements into one contract, the retailer would have lower administration costs and pass the savings to the institutions. If all universities in the country purchased 20% green power, it would create a demand for 200,000 MWh each year, which represents 20% of current green power purchases and “a substantial boost to the Australian renewable industry.” It would also displace the emission of 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

“Dealing with climate change will require long-term and sustained action by the whole
community, including universities,” but the report’s recommendations are “only the start of what will need to be a concerted campaign of action if we are to slow and ultimately stop human-induced climate change.” Universities which take a lead on purchasing green power “will reap the financial, social and environmental benefits in both the short and long-term.”

“The continued growth of the Australian renewable industry will reduce costs and enable universities to increase their commitments beyond purchasing 20% green power and also installing on-site renewable energy systems,” it explains. “The careful development of long-term strategies by universities, 10 or 20 years in scope, will ensure that they can achieve steady incremental change.”

“Universities that implement strong green building policies will over time become known for their world-class facilities and potentially attract more staff and students to work on their campuses,” it concludes. “Those that do not may well be left behind.”

A “steady and incremental increase” in the use of renewables and the adoption of green building policies will position universities to achieve substantial GHG reductions of 60% by 2050, which the report admits is a large reduction but one which will allow 40 years to achieve the target.

“The university sector could be a potential leader in the adoption of clean energy and
green building policies,” it explains. “Universities are substantial energy users that own and operate large facilities. They are also seen as community leaders and have a significant influence on their students, staff, and the general community.”

ReFocus Weekly Article, click to continue reading


For the Greenpeace.org PDF on this topic, the solar energy university report, Click Here


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