A multi-stakeholder perspective on opportunities and challenges for energy efficiency improvement in university buildings

Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, Sweden

^* Corresponding author: gireesh.nair@umu.se

Abstract

University buildings are relatively energy-intensive. In Sweden, universities usually operate in rented buildings. In this study, interviews were carried out among three categories of stakeholders in a Swedish university to understand their perceptions of energy use and challenges to improve energy efficiency. As per most interviewees, the university’s top management and Akademiska Hus, which owns the buildings, have the main responsibility to reduce the buildings’ energy and carbon footprint. The heads of departments raised the concern on the non-availability of energy data to take actions to reduce energy use. The use of sensors and information technologies to monitor space use, energy use, and indoor environment are attractive to different stakeholders. The implications of the interview results are discussed.