Energy-saving measures at Beijing schools bear fruit

Energy-efficiency measures on Beijing's college and university campuses will greatly reduce emissions and save energy in the city, the municipality's education authority said.

As about 100 colleges and universities take up energy conservation measures related to the heat-supply system, it is believed the city will save about 50 million cubic meters of gas during the winter.

"Many colleges are adjusting their heating system in accordance with the outdoor temperature, wind power and sun illumination, so as to reduce gas consumption," said Li Huayong, deputy director of the energy conservation and emission reduction office under the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education.

In addition, many colleges and universities also are lowering the indoor temperature in the teaching building at night and during winter vacation, when fewer people are around, to save energy, he said.

According to China Agricultural University, the campus saves about 15 percent of energy use a year thanks to the boiler improvements on campuses.

"The network of pipes, which is controlled by central computer and can achieve a high-level district heating system, will prevent unnecessary energy consumption," said Zhang Jingyu, deputy director of the energy management center of the campus.

"This alone can save some 400,000 cubic meters of natural gas every year, which is 900,000 yuan ($143,800)."

The city is also carrying out water and power-saving measures as well to further reduce energy consumption, according to Nan Bin, director of the heating supply office of the Beijing Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment.

Campuses are among the major energy consumers, together with shopping malls, office buildings and hotels, and energy conservation enforcement at colleges and universities will greatly reduce emissions in the city, he said.