Freie Universität Berlin is planning for the 2022/2023 winter semester to be conducted in person on campus despite the energy crisis and the Covid-19 situation. University operations – from studying and teaching to research and administration – are largely taking place on site. The university wants to continue to be a place where people come together in person, something that many students and employees have grown to appreciate even more over the last two years.

The Energy Security and Energy Efficiency Working Group

In response to the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, Freie Universität established the Energy Security and Energy Efficiency Working Group that includes members of the Executive Board, parts of the Central University Administration, the Unit for Sustainability and Energy Management, the Staff Council: Entire Freie Universität, as well as the administrative heads of various departments. The group meets regularly to discuss developments in this challenging situation.

Rising Energy Costs

Freie Universität is expecting a twenty-five percent increase (approximately 4 million euros) in energy costs this year alone. In all likelihood, the dramatic changes on the international energy market will impact energy costs at Freie Universität next year as well.

The university belongs to the State of Berlin’s energy procurement pool, which is responsible for procuring energy for all of Berlin’s higher education institutions collectively. The university expects the procurement process to be completed in December 2022. At that point, it will know the new energy rates for 2023.

The level of increase will depend on numerous political and economic factors that are beyond the control of Freie Universität Berlin.

An Energy-Efficient University

Freie Universität has already demonstrated that it is capable of reducing energy consumption. Twenty years ago it established an energy management policy that has led to a thirty percent decrease in energy use. Only 3.4 percent of the energy saved can be traced back to the special circumstances that came about due to the pandemic.

The majority of the reduced energy use is due to specific energy efficiency programs implemented across the university as well as an internal incentive program created to encourage energy conservation. Freie Universität Berlin already began installing photovoltaic systems years ago and plans to swiftly expand them over the next few years. Investing in such measures has already paid off in terms of the university’s budget. Without them, the university’s energy expenses for 2021 would have cost an additional 6.1 million euros.

Freie Universität hopes to build on its past success with energy conservation and further reduce energy use this fall and winter.