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Doing our Bit in the Fight Against Climate Change

ICFO’s efficient energy management combined with smart purchasing strategies help to advance in the global effort to promote the use of renewable energies

July 08, 2020

In 2012, ICFO installed a 74.75 kWp roof-top photovoltaics infrastructure which today provides 2.05% of the center’s annual energy needs. ICFO’s photovoltaic plant not only allows the institute to take active measures to fight climate change, it also makes good economic sense.

Currently, the members of the CSUC (Catalan Consortium of University Services) purchasing group, of which ICFO is a member, have photovoltaic energy installations on the roofs of their buildings with a total installed capacity of 1,140 kWp. The University of Lleida, a pioneering university in this field at the national level, leads the pack with a 592 kWp capacity. The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, a founding member of ICFO’s Board of Trustees, is also making strong advances in this area with the imminent anticipated launch of a new photovoltaic solar installation in the Aularis building of the North Campus that has a 170 kW capacity and expected annual production of 225,000 kWh. This facility will provide 50% of these buildings’ energy needs. The UPC will also begin bidding for seven new facilities that will add 400 kW of power.

In a “virtuous cycle”, saving achieved through efficient energy management – i.e. photovoltaic facilities like ICFO’s, combined with reductions in spending achieved through the CSUC consortium’s collective purchasing strategy, can help to pave the way for new projects for energy efficiency or renewable energy facilities. These will allow us all to contribute a small bit to the global fight against climate change – but all bits matter!

Photovoltaic contribution to savings and Co2 prevention