Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated multiple impacts. In particular, in the educational sector, the virtual class modality generated changes in the patterns of energy consumption at the institutional level; the identification of this consumption will allow us to reflect on new energy saving and efficient use strategies. In this research, we present a case study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity consumption in 13 state universities in Michoacán, Mexico. Electric energy consumption has been evaluated before and during the presence of the COVID-19 between 2019 and 2020. The comparative analysis estimated the reduction in energy consumption and its economic and environmental impact. The results show a considerable decrease in electricity consumption, generating an average saving of 76.24 MWh/month, which translates into an annual emission reduction from 2019 to 2020 of approximately 497 TnCO2e, and in economic terms of $8,882.25 USD each month. In general, it was identified that consumption patterns in the use of machinery and computer equipment for administrative activities were drastically reduced. If education continues in virtual or hybrid modes, energy consumption schemes will continue to decline and institutions could move towards resilient, affordable, and sustainable models of energy production and consumption.
Highlights
At the end of 2019, the world experienced a new health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that quickly spread throughout the most remote corners of each country, state and localities [1,2]
More than a year after the pandemic, it is necessary to reflect on the new educational normal of 2021 and the following years. This year, the state and national education system at the higher level is still virtually maintained, and a possible return to face-to-face classes is expected in a staggered manner throughout 2021, the truth is that Mexico is still facing a scenario of new maximum spikes of contagion and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus
This case study allowed the evaluation of electricity consumption before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 13 public state universities in the state of Michoacán in Mexico
Summary
At the end of 2019, the world experienced a new health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that quickly spread throughout the most remote corners of each country, state and localities [1,2]. During the first months of 2020, a global state of emergency was formally decreed, because the infection epidemic reached the pandemic phase that even increased and was more severe in 2021. The effects of this pandemic are unquantifiable, diversified and increasingly severe. All sectors of the population have been, are and will continue to be affected [3]. It is estimated that the educational system was not the same as it was before 2020; progress in this sector continues to be dynamic and the academic community is increasingly resilient [5]
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