Act sustainably: Use energy responsibly!

The topic of saving energy remains topical. In addition to smart technology, all TU members play a decisive role in this: the user behavior of around 5,000 employees and 25,000 students makes a decisive contribution to the university's overall energy balance. With this special issue, we would like to support all TU members in reducing energy consumption – with tips and information as well as insights into TU operations.

Martin Lommel,
Vice President, Administration and Financial Affairs; TU Darmstadt

Saving energy is both: practicing climate protection and helping to ensure that the TU has more money for research, teaching and xchange. Thank you for taking part – even though it means a reduction in comfort! Together we will find solutions to save energy and at the same time maintain a pleasant working atmosphere.

Dr. Martin Lommel, Kanzler der TU Darmstadt
Picture: Klaus Mai

How do deal with the energy crisis – general conditions, measures, support

You can find the latest news on energy and current consumption on the following page:

www.tu-darmstadt.de/energiesituation

Measures during the winter semester 2023/24

Review of the 2023/24 heating period – lessons learned

In the last heating period, heat savings of 18% (weather-adjusted) were achieved without operational restrictions. The savings were based on the implementation of central measures with the help of the building management system (BMS) and user-related or technical measures in the buildings. The savings from the last two heating periods are to be consolidated. A winter break is not carried out after weighing up the costs and benefits.

For the current heating period, the Executive Board also plans to reduce energy consumption (heat, electricity, cooling) with the help of the following measures:

To achieve this, the room temperature in offices will be limited to 20 degrees, in halls and workshops to 17 degrees. In addition, we are calling on the organizational units to initiate further activities adapted to the respective requirements, such as

  • the individual daily adjustment of heating thermostats on level “1” in rooms that are not in use,
  • switching off the standby mode of electrical appliances,
  • adjusting the output and operating time of ventilation systems(with the support of energy management), according to use,
  • possibly combining workplaces and partially heating buildings (e.g. throttling in an unused floor of a six-storey building saves up to 11% heat and 8.5% electricity.

Recommended room temperature

Please make sure that the room temperature in the offices is around 20 degrees. To achieve this, where possible, adjust thermostats to just “3”.
Please make sure that the room temperature in the offices is around 20 degrees. To achieve this, where possible, adjust thermostats to just “3”.
Energy consumption 2017 – 2023 at TU: Measured in MWh: Electrical energy (yellow), Heat (red), Cooling (purple). The graph illustrates the absolute annual consumption from 2017 – 2023, which is covered by Contractor. The central cooling supply was not put into operation until the end of 2018, which is why data is only available from 2019. It is clear that energy consumption has not changed significantly in recent years despite the expansion.
Energy consumption 2017 – 2023 at TU: Measured in MWh: Electrical energy (yellow), Heat (red), Cooling (purple). The graph illustrates the absolute annual consumption from 2017 – 2023, which is covered by Contractor. The central cooling supply was not put into operation until the end of 2018, which is why data is only available from 2019. It is clear that energy consumption has not changed significantly in recent years despite the expansion.

Due to system losses during the conversion of natural gas into the respective energy type, the TU's annual consumption in 2022 for electricity amounts about 51,100 MWh, heat about 48,700 MWh and cooling about 8,100 MWh. Together, this amounts to about 110,000 MWh of energy. This is roughly equivalent to the energy consumption of all households in a small town like Griesheim.

In 2023, annual consumption at TU Darmstadt could be reduced as follows: for heat from 48,700 MWh to 39,300 MWh (- 20 %), for electricity from 51,100 MWh to 48,200 MWh (- 6%) and for cooling from 8,100 MWh to 6,500 MWh (- 20 %).

Over 90% of the energy supply is covered by contracting, a contract concluded specifically for this purpose. The contractor operates the energy center on the Lichtwiese campus and supplies the university with 40% heat from the Darmstadt North district heating network, which is fed by the Darmstadt waste-to-energy plant. 75% of the electricity is generated by combined heat and power plants and supplemented with 25% purchased electricity. In addition to the contractor´s central energy supply, and other decentralized properties of the TU that are supplied with energy via individual energy contracts.

The heat consumption of the buildings supplied via the energy center is monitored approx. every 15 minutes. The electricity quantities of the contractor are not building-specific, but the meter structure is currently being retrofitted. The aim is to establish the closest possible monitoring of energy consumption via a digital meter infrastructure. In the electricity supply, we know the consumption via the contractor's invoicing at monthly level, but not via the external electricity contracts.

2021, TU paid 20.5ct/kWh for electricity and 8.8ct/kWh for heat. This brought the total amount to approximately 11 million euros for electricity and 5.5 million euros for heat last year. For 2022, the energy prices agreed with the contractor will still apply. From January 2023, energy costs will rise significantly. The electricity supply is expected to double and the heat supply to triple.

The heat consumption of the buildings supplied via the energy center is monitored approx. every 15 minutes. The electricity quantities of the contractor are not building-specific, but the meter structure is currently being retrofitted. The aim is to establish the closest possible monitoring of energy consumption via a digital meter infrastructure. In the electricity supply, we know the consumption via the contractor's invoicing at monthly level, but not via the external electricity contracts.

TU Darmstadt has PV systems in the order of 2.1 MW under construction and in planning, both subsidized and unsubsidized by the state of Hesse.

The construction of 23 new plants is planned by the end of 2025. According to an initial rough calculation, this planned expansion will utilize approx. 1/3 of the potential roof areas.

The number of systems may change with regard to building planning and structural feasibility checks. In this case, alternative locations will be sought.

  • Windows are replaced based on how they fit in with other measures and prioritized according to the highest savings measures, so that they are only replaced gradually.
  • Inquiry: Can I find out when my building is due?
    • There is no isolated renovation roadmap for windows. The refurbishment program of the future is currently being revised and is subject to a certain dynamic, so we cannot make any promises as to exactly when a building envelope will be refurbished.

These are technically easy to control on a small scale, e.g. For example in a household. For the complex and diverse structures at TU Darmstadt, it is currently not clear how costs and benefits relate to each other. In particular, it is not clear how high the costs for maintenance and support of the devices are and how the issue of battery waste is to be assessed. Against this background, it was decided not to use smart thermostats across the board for the time being.

In a scientifically monitored field test, which is meaningful in terms of scope, findings are to be gained as a basis for an evaluation. If you are interested in taking part in this field trial, please contact the energy management team.

There is no measurement technology in the buildings that are not connected to the district heating network. This means that no evaluable data is available.

Do you have a question and think that the answer would be of interest to many at TUDa? Then please contact us by so that we can keep this list updated.

What energy-related governing bodies are there at TU Darmstadt?

Energy Task Force

During the energy crisis in winter 2022/23, the Energy Task Force was established at TU Darmstadt. Headed by the Vice President for Administration and Financial Affairs, strategies and measures have regularly been developed and implemented together with representatives of the departments and the University Administration to tackle the energetic challenges at hand.

Energy Forum

Headed by the Vice President for Administration and Financial Affairs, representatives of the departments, the directorates, the Central Services and the Energy Commissioners meet monthly to be updated on the current energy situation and energy-saving measures. This Energy Forum serves as a knowledge transfer platform.

Energy Commissioners Network

The Energy Commissioners Network serves as a link between users of buildings and the directorates (IV and V). Headed by the Energy Management, consultation meetings are held regularly with all Energy Commissioners of TU Darmstadt. Within the network, information related to energy is provided, questions regarding this matter are answered, energy-saving potentials are identified and measures to save energy are jointly developed and implemented while best practices are shared.

Access restricted section: Log in to see this section.

Picture: Ulrike Albrecht

Joining in – my contribution.

In times of global crises, climate and energy issues are often pushed into the background. Right now, it is important to raise awareness of these challenges and find solutions together. Saving energy is a crucial step – everyone can take responsibility for a sustainable future by taking small steps such as briefly ventilating rooms, using energy-saving appliances and switching off unnecessary electronics. Every contribution counts, because together we can make a big difference! Jasper Sickinger, student assistant in directorate V G

Keep your eyes peeled!

  1. Take regular joint tours around laboratories, shop floors, experimental halls and hangars to check how and where energy can be saved and where running times of machinery and equipment can be minimised. These tours really make a big difference because they help to identify additional potential for saving energy. Once the possible measures have been agreed upon and put in place, they need to be observed by everybody!

Windows & fresh air

  1. For longer absences, turn the heating down to just below level 1 and ventilate vigorously for 10 minutes. This allows warm room air, which can store more moisture, to escape. This prevents the formation of mold. By the way, it is also worthwhile to air the room thoroughly at the end of the working day and before the weekend.
  1. Electric heaters are not an alternative, because they consume a lot of electricity. Moreover, devices that have not been tested at the TU represent a safety risk.

Devices & illumination

  1. Check the illumination used at your unit or working/research group. Are energy-saving LEDs used everywhere or are there still some power hogs like halogen lamps used around your workplace? Discuss possible solutions as a team and with your superior. Contact the persons in charge (such as the janitors or secretary’s offices).
  1. Office rooms, corridors and stairwell are illuminated continuously? Turn off the lights when leaving rooms, passing through corridors or stairwells, if possible.
  1. Turn off electrical devices and appliances or get rid of them: Do I really need two monitors? What about the printer – can it be shared with colleagues; thus, reducing the number of devices in use? What about the refrigerator – is it necessary or is it empty and can be turned off? Is it possible to turn off peripheral servers when not in use? Get an overview and discuss matters as a team and with your superior.
  1. Use the dishwasher only if fully loaded. This reduces the number of additional cleaning cycles. If necessary, put up a sign indicating that the dishwasher is running or contains clean dishes etc. in need of being stowed away. Use the eco-friendly cycle or the glass/delicate cycle, if available.

Bye-bye stand-by!

  1. The coffee-maker does not have to be on stand-by all day—discuss with colleagues the best times for coffee breaks and make them a nice ritual.
  1. Use multiple-socket strips to save power. In addition, they can be turned off quickly when leaving the office; for breaks, too!
  1. Remember: Turn off your computer and monitors when leaving the office for a longer period of time. Putting the computer in sleep mode is just as good while offering quick access when returning from your break.

PC & Laptop

The energy-saving mode (located next to the “Switch off” function) is also useful for short breaks. You can continue working later without long waiting times.

  1. Set bookmarks, i.e., mark frequently opened webpages with bookmarks because each search-engine query results in servers worldwide running in overdrive and consuming huge quantities of electricity! Use alternative search engines, such as Ecosia, if possible. This initiates reforestation projects that you can support with every click you make.
  1. Avoid e-mail attachments. Place documents onto the TU server or Hessenbox, mailing the link to these documents instead.
  1. Is it really necessary to conduct a video-conference or would a conventional phone call be just fine? Discussing matters on the phone often works just as well without seeing each other face to face. In addition, less power is consumed.

Keep moving!

  1. Take the stairs and leave the elevators to those who actually need them. Moving around during the day every now and then is good for our blood circulation and saves a lot of electricity.

Contact

If the heating does not work, the light is permanently on and/or cannot be switched off or windows cannot be opened or closed properly, please report the problem using the fault report form of Department V. (Login required)

If you have any suggestions or questions about saving energy, you are welcome to send them directly to TU Darmstadt's energy management team by email:

…additional tips for saving energy at the office and at home

Saving energy during the cold seasons

We have a multitude of tips for you: Read more about how to make your workplace more comfortable while saving energy. Join in with our self-check.

Learn more

Saving energy during the summer

Whether in the home office or at home: The following tips will help you to get through the hot summer months comfortably and saving energy.

Learn more

TU Darmstadt takes action – a choice of projects

For a climate-conscious and intelligent handling of existing resources, TU Darmstadt has been breaking new ground over the past few years. The beginnings of a large-scale use of rainwater at the Campus Lichtwiese actually date back as far as 1993. We present three projects for an economic and ecologically sound campus management that are already part of everyday life at TU Darmstadt.

Together we take even more action

Using less energy is an important step on the way to a more sustainable world. TU Darmstadt's Sustainability Compass summarizes the other inspiring projects and activities in this area. In the Sustainable Development Compass, the dynamic sustainability report of TU Darmstadt, you can find many other exciting projects and activities under this heading in the “Science” and “Operations” fields of activity.

Go to the “Science” and “Operations” fields of activity. (opens in new tab)

Help and support for your home

Did you know…?

… that the city of Darmstadt (opens in new tab) sponsors small and large photovoltaic systems for private households and businesses?

… that you can borrow power meters at the Verbraucherzentrale Hessen (opens in new tab) (Hessian consumer advice centre) to measure how much electricity your household appliances consume? In addition, you can consult with them for advice.

… that you can receive initial advice free of charge as an owner of residential buildings in Darmstadt? For more information, go to Modernisierungskonvoi 2022 (opens in new tab).