Buildings 24-hour energy use studied

University | Policy 16 Aug 10 A study into the energy use of 24-hour buildings at Oxford University whose findings are expected to improve the University's energy efficiency has received funding from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE). The Midnight Oil Project, led by the Environmental Change Institute and the Estates Directorate's Environmental Sustainability Team, has been awarded £61,250 from HEFCE's Leadership, Governance and Management Fund. Staff and students' overnight usage of four 24-hour buildings will be studied, and findings will be fed back into the University's energy policy on buildings. Jenny Ekelund, project leader and head of Environmental Sustainability, said: 'The University possesses several 24-hour buildings, which are among the highest energy users on the University estate, but very little is known about the actual human usage of these buildings overnight. There are many researchers and students working on cutting edge environmental issues, yet there is no established mechanism for these individuals to apply their knowledge to reducing the University's own environmental footprint. 'This project will provide an opportunity for environmental academics and University sustainability staff to work closely together and integrate technical approaches to sustainable buildings management with intelligent assessment of building users' behaviour and needs.' This is going to be a really practical project, and we expect that it will also teach us some general lessons that we can pass on to other universities and colleges Jenny added: 'The potential benefits of this study are considerable.