Energy and emissions

Goals of the Climate Action Plan 2030:

• Stable and cost-effective energy supply using renewable energy sources
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Creation of a modernisation programme for the current buildings

Status

The university aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) by using renewable energy sources. As of January 1, 2022, the university purchases its additional electricity with the high-quality eco-electricity certificate ‚Grüner Strom Label‘. This ensures that the energy supply consists solely of green electricity, and a fixed amount per kilowatt-hour is invested in expanding renewable energies
By operating several PV systems on rooftops, the university is already contributing to further reducing GHG emissions. Additional installations are planned on the roofs of the Dean's Office of Forestry and Agriculture, the Work Unit North, as well as the experimental farms in Reinsdorf and Relliehausen.
Furthermore, heat and electricity consumption have been reduced: Compared to 2013, heat consumption in 2023 decreased by 33.2 % (18.2 % adjusted for temperature). Electricity consumption was also reduced by 12 % (without the consumption of the data center) during the same period. The peak in heat consumption in 2021 was due to COVID-19 prevention measures: To reduce the risk of infection, a lot of room air was exchanged, leading to increased heat demand.
Overall, the GHG emissions of the University of Göttingen have already decreased. To further drive this positive trend, you will find energy-saving tips and materials below to motivate your colleagues and fellow students to save energy.

open-space photovoltaic plant Deppoldshausen

In order to switch the University of Göttingen's energy supply to renewable energies, the university is planning to construct a large open-space photovoltaic plant in Deppoldshausen together with Stadtwerke Göttingen AG and the Klosterkammer Hannover. The plant with a capacity of around 34 megawatts peak (MWp) is to be built on an area of around 56 hectares, which is currently managed by the university's own experimental farm. This corresponds to around a quarter of the foundation's electricity requirements and could save around 13,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year compared to the current electricity mix.
In addition to energy production, the project offers a unique basis for a wide range of research projects. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences is planning to conduct accompanying studies on crop cultivation, animal farming and technical aspects such as machine utilisation and sensor technology. The effects on the soil, for example through compression and erosion, are also to be investigated. For this purpose, various module layouts with different heights and spacings - including fence systems, trackers and levellers - will be compared. In addition, research work from the fields of geosciences, biology and psychology will be made possible, for example on the social acceptance of such systems.
On 5 November 2024, the Weende local council approved the necessary changes to the land use plan and the new development plan. The plan has been on public display since 4 December 2024. The plant is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
With the realisation of the photovoltaic system, the University of Göttingen has reached an important milestone in its energy and climate strategy and is taking a further step towards climate neutrality.

• More PV plants

Energy saving tips

• More detailed energy-saving tips
• More information about refrigerators (german)
• Energy-saving materials

Energy

Decarbonisation Plan

Emissions

Climate neutrality