University of Oslo (Norway) UiO Aims To Reduce Its Energy Usage

Reduced indoor temperatures, co-use of buildings, and closed charging ports for electric cars are among some of the measures that will come into effect in an effort to reduce energy usage.

The University of Oslo has worked actively to reduce energy usage in its buildings since 2016, and as of today, this corresponds to a reduction of around 25%. The university´s climate and environmental strategy sets ambitious goals and obliges the institution to reduce energy usage with at least 30% by 2030. There has been a severe surge in costs related to energy lately, both nationally and internationally. Early projections show that the University of Oslo is looking at extra costs of around 130 million NOK this year and 170 million NOK in 2023 as a result.

The upcoming measures are:

Reduced temperatures in buildings. The temperature will not go below 19 degrees. Measures will be adapted to the usage of the buildings, such as research, labs museum magazines.
Co-use of student areas and reading rooms after 4 PM in some buildings, where a temperature of 19 degrees and ventilation will be kept on past 4 PM. Ventilation will shut down and temperatures will be lowered further in facilities that are not in use after 4 PM.
Temporary shutdown of charging ports for electric cars, except for company cars.
Encourage students and employees to implement simple energy saving measures such as turning off the lights.
We expect that these measures will result in a save of costs of around 35 million NOK.

Local adjustments
The measures that are coming into effect have been discussed with the units, students and the unions, and will not affect activities relating to research and education. Students will still be able to use reading rooms as normal in their own buildings or facilities nearby after 4 PM.

Rector at the University of Oslo, Svein Stølen, stresses the importance of adaptation and facilitation when speaking about the measures.

– We find ourselves in tough times financially because of the high energy costs, and action is needed. At the same time, we must ensure the measures that are implemented do not affect research and education, says Stølen.