A range of actors is becoming more interested in broader strategic approaches to sustainability. Recently we have seen a bundling of the “environmentally sustainable development” (Brundtland 1987), with the millennium goals (2000) into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (2015). These SDG offer a tool to not only combine overall and particular targets, but facilitate also the combination with societal benefits as increased health and wellbeing. The reduction of energy consumption together with the use of more renewable energy, in order decrease greenhouse gas emissions is a priority on the climate agenda. It soon became apparent that even building professionals often lacked specific knowledge and insights and that the implementation of energy efficiency (EE) projects on existing building stock will not be a top priority if not accompanied by new business models like, for instance, Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). The PXL University College, as higher education institutions (HEI) are often seen as an important player in Sustainable Development (SD), wants to be active in the advancements in SD implementation. The PXL organises a customized postgraduate Energy Efficiency Services (PG EES) (new technical insights and new business models). Based on the philosophy to apply the good practices that are being taught in the PG EES to their own buildings the PXL initiated an Energy Quickscans (EQS) project in order to assess the potential for energy savings. As at the PXL-tech campus, the concept of a living lab for all occupants is being applied and sustainability is integrated in the policy these buildings are chosen as a test case. The EQS highlight the potential on heating, ventilation, cooling, lighting and insulation on the outer shell. The recommendations are described based on a base case (33,66 % energy savings) and an enhanced case (45,94 % energy savings). The determination of the perimeter of the investment and different scenarios are described. The duration of the EPC contract (including qualitative maintance) in view of the financial scheme versus the total investment are reported. The development of a financial plan and the evaluation of the financial viability of the EPC project will be discussed by means of Net present value (NPV), Internal rate of return (IRR), Payback time (PBT), Discounted payback time (DPBT). We can conclude that the analyzes and comparisons with reference cases show that the potential energy savings are realistic and that the Energy Services Company market must be able to achieve these objectives. The choice of the specific scenario will ultimately be determined by the PXL ambition, its vision, the objectives (in terms of costs, energy and CO2) and the limitations of PXL. EE projects often generate also Non Energy Benefits (NEB) such as better image and improved comfort (more stable temperatures, which can stimulate less absenteeism, more creativity for all occupants of the building) in addition to societal benefits. As this project facilitates further knowledge exchange, the PXL-Tech campus as living lab environment makes this the ideal pilot, which can then be rolled out in other high-energy buildings in the PXL.
Key words Energy Efficiency Services, ESCO, Living Lab, Education for Sustainable Development, SDG's
4b. Affordable and clean energy
