Sustainability

Universities play a key role in the process of social transformation. They are places where future decision-makers are trained and (discursive) spaces that can serve as a laboratory for sustainability. Four Thuringian universities are therefore pooling their expertise in this project and continuously developing it further as part of the research project ‘KLIMA-Netzwerk für mehr Nachhaltigkeit in Thüringen’ (KLIMA Network for more Sustainability in Thuringia).

link to the website (in German only)

"We are aware of our special responsibility as an institution but also in our function as multipliers."

The university had already received the Ökoprofit label for the first time in 2001, since then much has been done to qualify for the award again. "We are aware of our special responsibility as an institution, but also in the multiplier function", says Stefan Doogs, who is the main coordinator of the Ökoprofit measures at the University of Erfurt. "That is why it is part of our daily task to consider how we can use raw materials and energy in line with demand, optimise their consumption and, if possible, return them to the cycle". In doing so, economic efficiency and environmental protection should no longer stand in opposition to each other, but should be sensibly interlinked. And this also means that when awarding contracts to non-university service providers, the university will ensure that only environmentally compatible means, processes and methods are used.

Measures for the sustainable use of resources on campus include

• the systematic replacement of old heating pumps and the use of high-efficiency pumps on the campus
• the energy optimization of the library with regard to lighting as well as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology to save energy and reduce operating costs;
• the optimization of the cooling supply of the library's server room, including the use of water-cooled data cabinets (completed);
• the use of water-saving fittings on wash basins and showers (completed);
• the use of waterless urinals in the library (completed);
• the renovation of the façade and the installation of a photovoltaic system on employee building 1, which now enables savings on heating energy and the sale of the electricity generated;
• equipping other university buildings and the parking lot with photovoltaic systems;
• the energetic consideration and analysis of the sports hall as a preliminary consideration for an optimization of the building;
• the review of the waste concept and
• the conversion of the lighting on the campus to LED technology.

As part of the economic stimulus package, the external facade of the listed high-rise building on the campus of the University of Erfurt was renovated in 2010. To ensure a second structural escape route, a second escape staircase had to be built on the south side of the building. In joint coordination between the building authority, the monument authority, the fire department, the TLBV and the university, this extension was planned and executed with a photovoltaic system on the façade. The system has been in operation since 23 December 2010.

The 352 solar modules have a rated output of around 28 kWp and are expected to produce around 17,300 kWh of solar electricity per year. This means an approximate saving of about 2,500 euros per year in unpurchased electricity plus the current state subsidy of about 2,300 euros per year.

Further photovoltaic systems are in the works or at the planning stage:
A corresponding system with 117 KWp is to be commissioned on the roof of the Centre for Communication and Information (KIZ) in mid-2023. The PV modules have already been installed. The electrical energy generated there is to be consumed entirely on campus in the future.

The next systems are to be installed on the west side of teaching building 1 (with 137 KWp) and on the roof of the sports hall, which is currently being renovated (with 148 KWp). Completion is currently planned for 2024.

Your contact for questions about the ‘Ökoprofit’ environmental seal and for questions about sustainable operating technology on campus:

Stefan Doogs
Head of Operating Technology at the University of Erfurt
phone: +49 361 737-5341
e-mail: stefan.doogs@uni-erfurt.de

adjunct Professor Bettina Hollstein
phone: +49 361 737-2802
e-mail: bettina-hollstein@uni-erfurt.de

The current contact persons at the Student Council can be found on the website of the department at: www.uni-erfurt.de/der-stura-der-uni-erfurt-stellt-sich-vor/gremium/der-stura/referat-nachhaltigkeit.

Manja Apflestädt in Department 1: Registrar's Office is the contact person for course coordination for the Studium Fundamentale “Sustainability”.

Contact details can be found here.

The contact persons for the innovation network for education in sustainable development at the University of Erfurt are Professor Sandra Tänzer and Adjunct Professor Dr. Bettina Hollstein.

The Studium Fundamentale "Sustainability – Improving the world with practical projects", launched in 2007, offers students from bachelor programmes at the University of Erfurt and the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt the opportunity to make an active contribution to the sustainable development of society.

More information about Studium Fundamentale "Sustainability"

Save the Bees!: Bees for the Campus

Did you know? The Germans are world champions at eating honey. It's no coincidence that sayings like "busy bees" or "land where milk and honey flow" refer to the positive perception of bees. However, the fact that bees even play a very decisive role for our ecosystem - 80 percent of all domestic cultivated and wild plants depend on pollination by bees - is unfortunately far too little known. Actions such as "Save the Bees" or city beekeeping are now increasingly drawing attention to the importance of bee colonies and the problem of bee mortality, which has been with us for several years.

Thanks to the cooperation of its department of expertise, the university communications and a committed employee and hobby beekeeper, the University of Erfurt has also joined the "city beekeepers" of Erfurt in summer 2015 and now houses two bee colonies in its school garden. An excellent and sustainable cooperation as we find. Because not only our school garden, but also the entire university campus and the adjacent meadows offer a rich variety of plants, which you will certainly be able to taste in our honey "Campus Gold". And last but not least, our prospective school garden teachers learn how to deal with the bees. And their future pupils will benefit from this in several learning areas.

Recently, the university was even honoured for its commitment to the bees: In 2018 the Thuringian Ministry of Infrastructure and Agriculture presented the plaque "Bee Friends".

Unfortunately, our colonies were stolen for the second time in the 2024/25 summer term, so we have no bees at the moment. We are currently discussing how to proceed and how we can better protect a possible new colony from theft and vandalism. :-(

Projects on the topic of sustainability are being developed by the following three university groups at the University of Erfurt, among others:

• AG Nachhaltigkeit
• „campusgrün“
• „greenpeace“