Arranging university semester date to minimize annual CO2 emission: A UK university case study

Zihao Li,Wei Sun,Yue Xiang,Camilla Thomson,Gareth Harrison

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.103414

Zihao Li, Wei Sun + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.103414

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Abstract

SummaryExisting methods of reducing carbon emissions on campus often require substantial investment, and the potential opportunities for carbon dioxide and energy savings in universities with existing infrastructure have not been considered in much detail. This work fills this gap by considering an indirect and soft demand response strategy, i.e., semester arrangement. To identify the optimal operational strategy of a realistic campus-level multi vector energy system (MES) in Scotland based on CO2 emissions, an original tool is presented. Two conclusions can be drawn safely from the case study. Firstly, changing the operational mode of the university could significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Secondly, considering the difference between average emission factor (AEF) and marginal emission factor (MEF) in the power grid, the different operational modes will bring different electricity/heat demands and also affect carbon emissions. The work opens up a new perspective for worldwide university operators who are considering reducing CO2 emissions.

Highlights

Facing the challenge of global warming, governments worldwide have introduced relevant policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The energy hub model, with the objective of minimum carbon emissions, will determine the least carbon emissions that can be achieved for different semester scenarios
The recommendation of semester arrangements is made by comparing their carbon emissions found in the previous step

Summary

Introduction

Facing the challenge of global warming, governments worldwide have introduced relevant policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UK government has announced to reduce the overall carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 (Walker et al, 2019). Large organizations across various sectors of society are working hard to reduce their own carbon emissions. As representatives for advanced technology and scientific research, a large number of universities have set their own goals in terms of energy conservation and CO2 emissions. Similar low carbon targets have been published by a number of British universities: most of them have promised to reduce their emissions by 80% by 2050 on the 1990 CO2 emission baseline (EAUC, 2019). Several top-tier universities have demonstrated a further ambitious but concrete goal, achieving either the ‘‘net zero emission campus’’ or ‘‘carbon neutral campus,’’ around the middle of this century.

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