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Raúl García Hémonnet/Editor
Continuing with the momentum carried out in 2019, the Energy Efficiency Unit (UNEFE) of the Rey Juan Carlos University has decided to take another step on the path of sustainability this year. Among the most outstanding initiatives are, as explained by UNEFE, the "global change to LED lighting" throughout the University, which, they point out, "would lead to a 65% reduction in energy consumption in lighting, which would mean a saving of 400.000 euros per year and a return on investment in 5 years”.
In addition, the orderly and efficient migration of the current facility control system, which is obsolete, will be carried out. “This change in technology will bring many benefits in the management of buildings. From an optimization of the operation thanks to a high degree of automation, to the improvement of environmental comfort and energy efficiency” they indicate.
On the other hand, it is planned to install electric vehicle recharging points on all campuses, thus following those already installed on the Fuenlabrada campus. It is also planned to promote 'car-sharing', or car sharing.
Self-consumption has become an essential aspect for achieving buildings with almost zero consumption, achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions. For this reason, the university is taking the first steps to implement photovoltaic systems on the roofs of buildings in the coming years.
Other interventions
Outside of the strategic projects, the creation of a 'White Book' or guide for digital modeling of buildings at the URJC is planned using the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, working on the 'efficient office', following the line of the 'efficient classroom ' of the Fuenlabrada campus and the 'commisioning' (process of adjusting and setting up facilities to achieve efficient operation) of Lecture Hall 1 on the Móstoles campus.
In addition, various activities have been scheduled with interns related to the proper use of energy, among which the energy certification of the University's buildings, the use of energy simulation software and digital modeling stand out.
A 2019 full of initiatives
All these actions confirm the continuity over time of the firm commitment to sustainability that the URJC has made in 2019. This past year has been a turning point, with the installation, on the Fuenlabrada and Móstoles campuses, of a 'Smartflower ' which has 18m2 of solar panels imitating the shape and function of a sunflower, following the sun until the last rays of the day. On the Fuenlabrada campus, a renewable energy generation plant with a geothermal heat pump, photovoltaic panels and thermal solar panels has also been put into operation, in addition to an 'efficient classroom' in which different measures of energy saving and improvement of environmental comfort. Following the same line, in Fuenlabrada, two recharging points for electric vehicles were installed.
These measures represent a commitment by the URJC to improving the environment and achieving sustainable goals. They should be the springboard for the widespread implementation throughout the university of these pilot projects.
These initiatives are also linked to the institution's commitment to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals within the 2030 Agenda. Specifically, they have to do with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) and 13 (Climate Action).