Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions in an Academic Institution in Greece: Can It Become Carbon Neutral?

Abstract

Investigation of energy consumption and carbon emissions in an Academic Institute located in Crete, Greece has been implemented. The possibility of using sustainable energy technologies for covering all its energy needs has been examined. It has been found that the main energy source used was electricity while renewable energies had a small share in the total energy mix. The specific energy consumption has been estimated at 164.96 KWh/m² and the annual CO₂ emissions at 110.64 kgCO₂/m². The combined use of solar thermal energy, solar photovoltaic energy and ground source heat pumps could cover all the annual energy requirements in the Academic Institute zeroing its net carbon emissions. These energy technologies are mature, reliable and commercially used while solar energy is abundant in Crete, Greece. Solar electricity can generate all the electricity required annually with net metering regulations. The investment cost of the required sustainable energy systems to zero the net carbon emissions has been calculated at 184.32 € per m² of its covered surface. It is concluded that if some financial support in the energy investments will be offered then the Academic Institute would become carbon neutral.