Towards Efficient Energy Usage at Ain Shams University Campus

Abstract

In the light of global energy transition to renewable resources and energy efficiency usage, Ain Shams University (ASU) developed an ambitious plan to transform its campus into Green Campus. From an energy perspective, energy consumption data were continuously collected and audited to calculate the university campus carbon footprint. An energy usage strategy was established to tackle various pillars such as electrifying the campuses’ transportation system, improving energy efficiency usage, generating Renewable Energy (RE) for self-consumption, etc. Extensive research has been initiated on electric vehicles, wind and solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy generation with students’ activities/competitions. Thus, electric cars and buses were manufactured at the Faculty of Engineering (FoE) for elderly people and staff movement in ASU campus. Solar PV lighting poles with batteries were installed in the main campus. A small-scale Wind Turbine (WT) is manufactured and installed at the FoE and a pilot solar PV system is installed as well. Currently, an energy efficiency project is under implementation in various buildings/faculties and a parking lot that targets energy efficiency and solar PV energy generation. An energy efficiency measure is under implementation through replacing lamps with LED lamps, installing motion sensors, setting up a control center for monitoring and operation that is supported by Artificial Intelligence decision making algorithms. Rooftop solar PV energy systems are under design with smart meters. The project is targeting energy saving and bill reduction by at least 30% and as a result a reduction of carbon footprint will be achieved following the COP27 recommendations.