The exceptional situation resulting from the war in Ukraine along with the shortage of gas and electricity have brought about a very significant increase in energy costs. Like all higher education institutions or companies, Centrale Lille does not benefit from regulated tariffs or price shields for the purchase of its energy (electricity, gas, etc.).
The additional cost incurred by rising prices represents nearly €500,000 for our establishment in 2022, a sum which, accordingly, cannot be allocated to certain projects or to improve our working environment.
In this context, the French State is also asking us to ensure that we apply the existing regulations (energy code) to help reduce supply tensions next winter. If these measures are applied, they alone will allow us achieve significant savings of around €500 per day. Reducing the heating temperature by one degree represents an average reduction of 8% in gas consumption.
The measures are as follows:
- Temperature of premises set at 19° when occupied
- Use of electric radiators and back-up heating systems prohibited
Furthermore, everyone at their own level can help to reduce our energy expenditure by applying simple everyday actions.
- Wearing clothing that is warm enough not to have to use heating unnecessarily;
- Switching off the heating when ventilating offices and rooms, and closing the windows when leaving a room;
- Switching off equipment rather than leaving it on standby; some items of equipment consume up to two thirds of their normal consumption in this mode;
- Switching off lighting during the day when it is not necessary and when leaving a room;
- Informing the MLP department of any malfunction (radiator valve blocked, heating equipment excessively hot, etc.) via a GLPI ticket.
These measures may seem trivial, however, according to ADEME, electrical appliances left on standby consume 300 to 500 kWh per year, or 11% of the electricity bill of an average household.
Everyone is asked to act responsibly.