The right decision

When planning measures to counter the gas shortage, a temporary closure of the university buildings was discussed intensively at RWU. Anchoring climate protection in teaching and research is an important component of RWU's future climate protection concept. However, in order not to affect teaching again after the pandemic-related restrictions, technical measures were initiated and a university closure was rejected.

Energy-saving measures at RWU

Mattis Leissner, Kevin Nafz and Dominique Mutz investigated the potential savings that would have resulted from a temporary return to online teaching over Christmas as part of a lecture given by Professor Dr. Thomas Schreier-Alt in the Energy and Environmental Engineering program. They found that the energy-saving measures were successful even without a university closure. Compared to the already energy-saving Corona December 2021, about fourteen percent of thermal energy was saved. The analysis was supported by Hartmut Gräter, the climate protection manager of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, who is based at RWU and Tillman Pfaue who is the head of Technical Operations I and responsible for building management at RWU. How could gas be saved despite the presence teaching?

When the gas system kicks in

The energy needs of all RWU buildings in the Welfenareal and Töbele university areas are met by a wood chip system as long as temperatures remain at least four degrees above freezing. Only when temperatures drop further does the gas plant help out. A look at the climate tables of recent years shows: A warm phase often sets in during mid-December. This was also the case in December 2022, when temperatures were below four degrees Celsius on only a few days. The mild December had made it possible to supply the buildings largely by means of a wood chip system and save gas.

The analysis also brought to light where the shoe pinches. There is no central digital recording of the consumption data of individual buildings. This makes it difficult to quickly identify and eliminate deficiencies. In addition, the listed V-/P-/M complex and the teaching pool have a critical building structure due to the aging building fabric.

The prerequisites for comprehensive metrological recording and evaluation will be created in the next few months. The data then obtained will help to implement the upcoming measures in a targeted and economical manner.

Text: Thomas Schreier-Alt / Hartmut Gräter / Vivian Missel