UCC gets first ISO energy standard

UCC has become the first third-level institution worldwide to be recommended for ISO 50001, the international standard for efficient energy management.

UCC was the first third-level institution to implement the standard since it was launched just over four months ago. The university is also the first public sector body in Ireland to be recommended for certification to ISO 50001.

Implementation of this standard can lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs and other related environmental impacts, through systematic management of energy.

Director of buildings and estates at UCC, Mark Poland, said he was delighted that UCC has reached this milestone and extended his congratulations to all involved, in particular Paul Prendergast, Maurice Ahern, Liam McLaughlin of EnMS and their teams.

“UCC is committed to continuous energy performance improvement to enhance the environment of the university community of some 2,740 staff and almost 20,000 students” he said.

Mr Poland said the university has a long track record in energy management and has been particularly successful in winning grant support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to support energy -saving initiatives.

“UCC currently has projects involving lighting, metering, heat-recovery, ventilation, photovoltaics and wind energy etc, under way across the campus,” he said.