Energy conservation is an important contribution that every employee makes to the effectiveness of the EnMS, including improved energy performance at KIT.
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Key Points
- We are implementing an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001.
- We are continuously improving our energy performance.
- We conserve energy and use it efficiently, with a focus on sustainability and resource conservation.
- We pursue common energy goals and implement energy efficiency measures.
- We regularly evaluate our energy use, energy consumption, and energy efficiency.
- We procure energy-efficient equipment, products, and services.
- We take energy efficiency into account in the design and operation of systems, buildings, and energy-consuming processes.
- We ensure KIT’s energy supply and increase our own renewable energy supply.
- We comply with energy-related legal and other requirements.
- We provide the necessary information and resources.
Efficient Heating
- Even lowering the room temperature by one to two degrees Celsius saves energy.
- The Energy Team recommends setting the thermostat (if available) on the radiators to between 2 and 3. If the thermostats are no longer working properly or the heating system is gurgling and needs to be bled, please submit a service request for the issue.
- To ensure radiators operate efficiently, they should not be blocked by furniture to allow for optimal air circulation.
- Close the doors to rooms that are heated less frequently. This prevents rooms that are supposed to stay warm from cooling down. At the same time, it reduces the risk of condensation—and thus mold growth—which can form on the exterior walls of the cooler room.
- Turn down the heat if you’ll be away for an extended period (e.g., a business trip). If you forgot to do so, you can also notify FM via the ticket system. We’ll take care of your office.
Reducing Electricity Consumption
- Turn off the lights as soon as you leave the room; lights in hallways and restrooms don’t need to stay on all the time either.
- Motion sensors help save electricity. Light sensors are also helpful, as they automatically adjust the lighting based on the amount of natural light entering the room. You’re welcome to request assistance from FM via the ticket system for this as well.
- Many electronic devices often cannot be turned off completely and thus waste electricity unnecessarily in standby mode. You can tell this is happening if, for example, a light on your docking station is always on, or if device power adapters are warm or humming. Power strips with toggle switches or outlet adapters with timers can help resolve this issue.
- Turn off air conditioners whenever possible, or—for example, in decentralized server rooms—check whether the temperatures can be raised.
- Avoid using elevators and get some exercise
- Operating personal space heaters, such as fan heaters, consumes a lot of energy and is prohibited for fire safety reasons. If your radiators aren’t getting warm, please report this as a malfunction via the ticket system.
Proper Ventilation
- Proper ventilation also helps: Open the windows as wide as possible for a few minutes. This quickly refreshes the air in the room without letting the interior walls cool down. Once the windows are closed again, the heating system only needs to warm the fresh air, not the solid structural elements.
- Please remember to close any upper tilt windows during the cold season and to ventilate only through the large windows. This also protects our bats during the transitional season.
Rechargeable Batteries (E-Bikes)
- For fire safety reasons, lithium-ion batteries (and other batteries) may not be charged in KIT staff rooms or offices. Charging e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedelecs with lithium-ion batteries is permitted only at the designated charging stations (KIT Campus North).
- For more information on the safe charging of batteries, please contact the SUM Campus Fire Department. Please also note that e-bikes and e-scooters—whether for charging or otherwise—must not be parked inside buildings or in emergency exits (see Section 3, “Parking,” of the KIT Traffic Regulations).
Please use our feedback form.The target of an Energy Management System (EnMS) in accordance with ISO 50001 is to enable organizations to establish the systems and processes necessary for the continuous improvement of energy-related performance—including energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption. The DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 standard specifies the EnMS requirements for an organization. The successful implementation of an EnMS fosters a culture of improvement regarding energy-related performance, which depends on the commitment of all levels of the organization, particularly that of the head. In many cases, this initiates a cultural shift within an organization.
An EnMS applies to the activities under the organization’s control within a defined scope and the boundaries of the EnMS. It is adapted in its application to specific requirements, including the complexity of the systems, the level of documented information, and the available resources, and applies to the design and procurement of the organization’s institutions, sites, equipment, systems, or energy-using equipment.
The development and implementation of an EnMS includes an energy policy, targets, energy targets, and action plans related to the organization’s energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption, while simultaneously meeting applicable legal and other requirements. An EnMS must demonstrate the conformity of its management system with the requirements of ISO 50001 with the target of continuously improving energy performance. To this end, implementation is carried out using systematic, data-driven, and fact-based processes within the organization. Energy performance is a key element that is integral to ensuring effective and measurable results over time. Energy performance is a concept that relates to energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption. Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs) and energy baselines (EnBs) are two interrelated elements addressed within an EnMS to enable organizations to demonstrate improvements in energy performance.
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You can find more ideas and information on sustainability on the KIT sustainability website.