A multi-stakeholder perspective on opportunities and challenges for energy efficiency improvement in university buildings

Abstract

University buildings are relatively energy-intensive. In Sweden, universities usually operate in rented buildings. In this study, interviews were carried out among three categories of stakeholders in a Swedish university to understand their perceptions of energy use and challenges to improve energy efficiency. As per most interviewees, the university’s top management and Akademiska Hus, which owns the buildings, have the main responsibility to reduce the buildings’ energy and carbon footprint. The heads of departments raised the concern on the non-availability of energy data to take actions to reduce energy use. The use of sensors and information technologies to monitor space use, energy use, and indoor environment are attractive to different stakeholders. The implications of the interview results are discussed.

Measuring Space Efficiency and Estimating the Potential for Reduced Operational and Embodied Energy Use for Office Spaces

“…University buildings consist of a diversity of buildings, such as lecture halls, laboratories and offices. This diversity makes assessments of energy use difficult to interpret [9]. One way of exploring stakeholders' views on energy savings measures is by interviewing staff at various levels, a method used, e.g., by Nair et al [9].…”

“…This diversity makes assessments of energy use difficult to interpret [9]. One way of exploring stakeholders' views on energy savings measures is by interviewing staff at various levels, a method used, e.g., by Nair et al [9]. They focus on lecture halls and, to some extent, offices but do not discuss the use of laboratories and do not base their discussions on any data on the use of premises [9].…”

“…One way of exploring stakeholders' views on energy savings measures is by interviewing staff at various levels, a method used, e.g., by Nair et al [9]. They focus on lecture halls and, to some extent, offices but do not discuss the use of laboratories and do not base their discussions on any data on the use of premises [9]. Azimi et al [10] have used Passive Infrared Radiation sensors to measure space use in lecture halls as a starting point for spaceuse efficiency improvements.…”