Top content

Mastering the energy crisis together

Find out more about the energy-saving programme adopted by Osnabrück University and let 20 years of commitment to environmental protection inspire you to make your working life even more sustainable on a day-to-day basis.

Your contribution determines our overall collective success!

Dear colleagues, dear students,

we would like to ask you for your support: by being attentive to and mindful of our energy consumption in the winter semester 2022/23, we can reach our common goal together. Our aim is to reduce our energy consumption by 20 %. This should will be enough to get us through the energy crisis together! The information contained on this page sets out the measures that we are looking to commence with your support from October 1. In addition, it also contains a variety of suggestions for "going the extra mile", to which everyone can make a contribution. Please do your bit! Because we can only get through this energy crisis together!

The Presidium of Osnabrück University

Overview: Osnabrück University’s energy-saving plans as of October 1

Up to 20 % of our energy consumption can be saved with just a moderate reduction in room temperature, a one-week online class session before Christmas and by reducing our use of the most energy-intensive equipment and appliances. Exterior lighting will be reduced to the minimum level necessary to ensure people’s safety after dark. Lighting in the buildings will also be reduced to a minimum. Computers must be turned off at the end of the working day unless it is absolutely necessary for them to be kept on all the time. Further details of our plans and measures can be found in the service instructions (PDF, 189 kB) (in German) which are binding for all members of Osnabrück University from now until further notice. Let's do this together!
 

Top content

For employees

Set heating systems to a moderate room temperature

• Do not heat rooms above 19°C, i.e. set radiator thermostats to a max. level of 2.5.
• During extended absences, set radiator thermostats to level 1 (12°C).
• On Fridays after 12 noon, radiators are to be turned down to 12°C for the weekend.
• University buildings will be closed at weekends, and on-site events will not take place (for exceptions, see service instructions (PDF, 189 kB)).
• Passageways, hallways, stairwells and other common areas will not be heated.

For students and teachers

Reduced Temperatures and attendance break

• The temperature in the lecture and seminar rooms is to be kept at a max. of 19°C.
• The University Library Alte Münze will be closed on Fridays from 6 p.m. and at weekends. The Library at Westerberg and the Law and Economics Library will be open on Friday evenings until 10 pm. On Saturday Library at Westerberg will be open from 10 am to 2 pm, the Law and Economics Library on  Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.
• From 23 December 2022, all libraries will be closed. They will reopen on 2 January 2023.

For laboratory users

Use extractor hoods sparingly

• The switch-on times of extractor fans and fume cupboards (so-called digestories) in science laboratories will be reduced by half. This measure is being carried out in close cooperation with the science units.
• In addition, users of energy-intensive laboratory and large-scale equipment are encouraged to reduce their use to a minimum.

There's more: Inspiration for your day-to-day office life

Would you like to do even more for the environment, the climate and our community? Then be inspired by the "TU WAS" (“Do Something”) campaign launched by UOS Environmental Coordinator Jutta Essl.

Dear colleagues,

saving energy has been an issue at Osnabrück University since before the beginning of the current crisis. Our web pages on environmental protection (in German), offer you a wide range of information on mobility, energy, construction and nature conservation. Our TU WAS tips (in German) provide you with concrete ideas on how to save energy in your everyday office life: from walking up the stairs to conserving storage space and server capacity, to airing your office or room briefly at regular intervals. You can contribute too, every little bit helps.

Jutta Essl, Environmental Coordinator at Osnabrück University

Join in, get some advice, contact us

First contacts:

energiesparen@uos.de: If you have any good energy-saving ideas or questions about how your technical devices can save energy, feel free to get in touch.

umweltschutz@uos.de: If you have any additional ideas for protecting the environment, we would be pleased to hear from you.
 

Further contacts: 

Dr. Wilfried Hötker
Vice President Finance and Human Resources
Tel.: +49 541 969-4710
vp.pf@uni-osnabrueck.de

Michaele Lerche-Lohaus
Head of Facility Management
Tel.: +49 541 969-2300
michaele.lerchelohaus@uni-osnabrueck.de

Jutta Essl
Environmental Coordinator
Tel.: +49 541 969-2242
jutta.essl@uni-osnabrueck.de

Mike Voss
Climate Protection Manager
Tel.: +49 541 969-7120
mike.voss@uni-osnabrueck.de

Building Services & Repairs
Tel.: +49 541 969-2626
stoerung@uni-osnabrueck.de