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Rising to energy challenge

16 July 2008

The Monash Energy Challenge -- Off-Peak Power is designed to reduce the University's consumption of electricity in off-peak hours.

The Berwick, Parkville, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses are leading the way in the Monash Energy Challenge -- Off-Peak Power.

Hundreds of staff and students have signed up to switch off during July, with more lights, computers, printers and copiers switched off overnight than ever before.

Data released after the first week of the competition shows a two per cent reduction in after-hours electricity consumption across the university compared to the same period last year and a reduction in total electricity consumption of nine per cent.

The Monash Energy Challenge -- Off-Peak Power is designed to reduce the university's consumption of electricity in off-peak hours -- from 11 pm - 7 am weekdays and on the weekends.

"The drop in off-peak and total electricity consumption is really exciting because it represents an immediate reduction in the university's ecological impact. I would like to congratulate all the staff and students who have helped achieve this initial result," Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability Paul Barton said.

"Our biggest challenge is still ahead with the start of the teaching period.

"Electricity demand will increase so we're calling for more people to get involved throughout Monash so we can find more and more ways to reduce our energy consumption."

Mr Barton highlighted the outstanding results achieved at the Berwick and Parkville campuses.

He said that compared to July 2007 Berwick's off-peak electricity consumption fell 22 per cent and its total consumption dropped a massive 35 per cent.

"Parkville has taken energy efficiency even further," Mr Barton said. "It reduced off-peak electrical use 38 per cent and overall consumption by 42 per cent. Gippsland and Peninsula have also achieved significant reductions."

Staff and students can get involved in the Off-Peak Power challenge by taking simple actions such as switching off unnecessary lights and equipment such as computers, printers and photocopiers whenever they are not needed, and always at the end of the day.

To register for the challenge and for further information visit the Monash Energy Challenge -- Off-Peak Power website.