CQU second most energy efficient university in Australia

When it comes to energy efficiency' CQUniversity is at the top of its game.

The University was named the second most energy efficient university in Australia as a result of the Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association (TEFMA) annual benchmarking survey.

CQUniversity Director of Facilities Management Ron Tollasepp said the ranking was a significant achievement for CQU.

'CQUniversity has a campus presence in every mainland state of Australia and with that comes great responsibility in ensuring that significant sustainability measures are in place in order to reduce energy consumption across our footprint'' Mr Tollasepp said.

'CQU started our energy efficiency drive in 2015 by setting a target of reducing our consumption by 15 per cent by 2023. We have already exceeded this and are 35 per cent below our benchmark. Plus' our large Queensland campuses' which are our most energy intensive sites' are now powered by 50 per cent renewable energy.'

Mr Tollasepp said that while 2021 presented the University with a number of challenges in meeting its sustainability goals due to the impacts of the pandemic' the University made significant progress against its goals.

He said CQUniversity also saw a 30 per cent reduction in landfill waste – double its target of 15 per cent by 2023.

CQUniversity was also ranked Top 200 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for work aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals' increased its water harvesting capacity by 200'000 litres and reduced its water consumption by 15 mega litres (equivalent to six Olympic-sized swimming pools).

'These achievements further cement our commitment to the sustainability of our communities socially' environmentally and economically and demonstrate how we are creating new knowledge and global leaders who deliver innovative' solutions-focused outcomes and drive change to address real world challenges.'

In addition to its sustainability goals' CQUniversity recognises that the emergence of an Australian hydrogen industry has the potential to be a game-changer. Hydrogen will therefore play a large part of the University's focus in 2022 and beyond.

'Gladstone has been identified as a focal point for hydrogen development in Queensland by both the Federal and State governments' and in response' CQUniversity plans to build on existing infrastructure by developing the Gladstone Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Precinct'' Mr Tollasepp said.

'The industry-focussed precinct will host CQUniversity's new Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy' as well as CQUniversity's $13.5 million School of Manufacturing.'