NUI, Galway Commercial Energy Upgrade Case Study
KORE case studies offer an inside look at how our services perform in real-world applications. This energy upgrade focused on 6 buildings at the National University of Ireland, Galway campus with a range of measures, including ventilation, LED lighting, water pumps and solar PV. NUI, Galway received 30% grant funding to offset the costs of works through SEAI’s Better Energy Communities Scheme.
National University of Ireland, Galway: Green, Smart and Healthy, with a Strong Identity and Well Defined Character
In 2020, KORE Retrofit, along with Sustainable Energy Community Group Clár Éifeachtacht Fuinnimh, assisted the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI, Galway) with energy upgrade retrofits to a number of buildings on campus. With grant funding of 30% made available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Better Energy Communities Scheme, the measures installed have helped to substantially reduce electricity demand, CO2 emissions, and increase renewable energy and thermal savings across six buildings.
The project included Shannon Catering College, Orbsen & Psychology Building, Cairns Building, Goath Dobhair Building, the Engineering Building and the Art, Science Building. Measures included air handling units, high efficiency water pumps, LED lighting, and solar PV.
Case Study Details
Project Name: Better Energy Communities Scheme, NUI, Galway Retrofit (2020)
Funding: 30% grant funding through SEAI’s Better Energy Communities Scheme (KORE Retrofit & Clár Éifeachtacht Fuinnimh)
Measures & Savings:
C02 Savings - Total: 210,540 kg/C02
Projected Thermal Savings - Total: 9,828 kWh
Ensuring a Sustainable Future
“NUI Galway is counted among the top 300 universities in the world, positioning us in the top 2% globally. We are a comprehensive research-led university with a depth of teaching and research delivered through four colleges, nineteen Schools and five research centres.
We are a wellspring of creative energy and believe in the transformative power of knowledge. We build on the unique strengths of our people, purpose and place for the benefit of individual, societal and environmental wellbeing.
As a university community, we are deeply committed to sustainability. With over 21,000 students and staff, together with our 110,000 alumni located in over 100 countries around the world, we recognise the critical role that universities must play in tackling society’s evolving sustainable development challenges.
Sustainability is a key pillar of our Strategic Plan: Shared Vision, Shaped by Values with 10 flagship actions across the university mission. We are a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Accord.
The NUI Galway Sustainability Strategy 2021-2025 sets out our vision and commitment to lead sustainability across the campus and beyond. It’s a roadmap for embedding sustainability in our culture, operational policies and governance structures and empowering our communities to be champions of sustainability.”
As part of the 2020 Better Energy Communities Scheme, Shannon College of Hotel Management received two air-handling unit upgrades (ventilation). These upgrades will save an estimated 24,696kWh of electrical savings, and 9,828kWh in thermal savings per annum. This amounts to a savings of €2,861.46 in energy spend every year.
The Art, Science Building at NUI, Galway received two solar PV installations. The first, a 108kW Trina Solar PV system, and a second Canadian Solar PV system totalling 63.90kW. In total, 171.9kW of Solar PV was installed on the rooftop of the building, generating 140,407kWh of renewable energy savings and offsetting 57,426kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The system is expected to reduce energy costs €16,848.95 per annum.
The Engineering Building at NUI, Galway also received a solar PV system during the 2020 Better Energy Communities Scheme. In total, 50.32kW Trina Solar PV system was installed on the rooftop of the building. Annually, this system will generate 41,101kWh of renewable energy savings and offset approximately 57,426kg of carbon dioxide. This solar PV installation is estimated to save NUI, Galway €4,932.16 in energy spend annually.
The Orbsen & Psychology Building was also included in the 2020 Better Energy Communities Scheme. This energy efficiency upgrade included the installation of 28 Grundfos pumps. This water pump upgrade is estimated to save NUI, Galway 123,911.07kWh of electricity annually, amounting to €14,869.32 in energy spend savings.
The Cairns Building received an LED lighting upgrade as part of the 2020 scheme. In total, 432 LED lights were installed throughout the building, including classrooms, hallways and common areas. The LED lighting upgrade to the Cairns Building is expected to save 68,283kWh of energy and €8193.96 in energy spend annually.
The Gaoth Dobhair Building also received an LED lighting upgrade as part of the 2020 scheme. In total, 322 LED lights were installed throughout, including classrooms, hallways and common areas. The LED lighting upgrade is expected to save 111,487kWh of energy and €13,378.44 in energy spend per annum.
Adapting to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan
NUI, Galway recognises the importance of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan targets. This includes:
A 50% improvement in public sector energy efficiency by 2030
A 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from the sector by 2030
Public sector buildings to be B2 rated by 2030
Decarbonizing energy use for heat and transport, replacing fossil fuels with renewables where appropriate
Achieving net-zero energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
A revised M&R reporting scheme to include for carbon reduction and an
EPO to produce monthly reports to the Minister, with an understanding that those failing will be fined
Energy reduction is a major target for NUI, Galway and this is managed through the Energy Policy. The policy identifies how we plan, target and change processes that help NUI Galway exceed energy targets, and how this will result in a campus that goes towards a net-zero carbon campus in 2030. The University Energy Team are key members of CUSP (Community and University Sustainability Project) which brings together students, staff, academics, researchers, Health Service Executive, Galway City Council and local community groups. NUI, Galway are members of the Public Sector Energy Partnership Programme with SEAI in leading by example to achieve 33% set out in 2020. NUI, Galway is of the first universities to exceed the 2020 target and is currently at 39.7% (2019).
NUI, Galway has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency by 45%. They are ISO 50001:2018 compliant, and as part of this is our Register of Opportunities. NUI, Galway has a current list of 100 projects as seen as essential works.
Previous Works
Before teaming up with KORE Retrofit and Clár Éifeachtacht Fuinnimh, NUI, Galway had upgraded a wide variety of measures to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Proving their commitment to sustainability and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, these measures included:
The installation of over 4,000 LED lights
4 CHP units with 1,000kW power supply
20 point EV infrastructure, increasing staff EV participation by 400% in 3 years
Improved control strategies across older building stock. This included the replacement of equipment that was no longer energy efficient (boilers, pumps, air handling units, fume cupboard fans, light fittings and electric motors)
Widespread staff and student energy campaigns and promotions. These included:
12 Days of Energy Christmas campaign, seasonal tips, and advice at holidays to Switch Off and Save. Awareness campaigns with the Student Unions, through `One Good Idea’, ‘Battle of the Dorms’, and student fairs
Brown bag talks with energy, media and psychology students
Collaboration with researchers and students on projects installed (i.e. reduction in plastic bottles and water foundation installation)
NUI, Galway’s Future Plans
NUI, Galway has numerous plans for the future (2020 to 2030). Michael Curran, head of building services, energy & utilities explains, “The main savings are not financial it’s the reduction in our primary energy and CO2 levels on campus, these savings ensure our campus is a leading university. It’s important to achieve these targets as we have found student applications are now based on the Green credentials of the university.
NUI, Galway energy upgrade plans now include:
Prepare BER/DEC Certs for all the buildings campus-wide
Reduction of CO2 to the North / South Campus by 5,500 Tons of CO2
Installation of 500kW Solar PV installation to the project sites (300kW currently installed)
Installation of additional 300kva gas-fired CHP unit
Installation of additional 1MW Wood Pellet Biomass boiler
Reconfiguration of existing 1MW Biomass boiler to take wood chip
Installation of additional LED Lighting Installation
Fabric upgrades to buildings
Upgrade from fossil boilers to heat pumps in domestic houses
Implement green lab techniques across campus
Replace inefficient equipment in labs (i.e. freezers, fume cupboards, air handling units)
•Staff and student awareness campaigns.
Why SEAI & KORE Retrofit?
NUI, Galway has availed of a number of SEAI grants. These have helped fund energy project on campus. They have also benefited from indirect funding with the U9 Energy Managers Group funded by SEAI. SEAI supplies knowledge and leadership and NUI, Galway have a great working relationship with them.
“We had an initial meeting with John and Noel after linking in with Clár Éifeachtacht Fuinnimh. We found the ideas and proposals acceptable as we had carried out a number of Better Energy Communities Grants in the past.
The process was excellent and we found the interaction interesting. Unfortunately, COVID restricted access but all projects and paperwork were completed on time.”