Agrária de Coimbra Invests in Sustainability: Innovative Energy and Water Efficiency Projects
With an investment of 1.3 million euros from the Environmental Fund — Energy Efficiency Program in Central Public Administration Buildings No. 01/C13-i02/2021 — Agrária de Coimbra is transforming four of its buildings — Central Building, Store and Agricultural Machinery Laboratory, Animal Reproduction Laboratory and Bloco Z-Students Association — on a mission to decarbonize and improve energy and water efficiency.
These projects not only contribute to a more sustainable campus but also make spaces more comfortable and modern for study, research and daily activities.
Among the improvements, the installation of thermal insulation, windows with thermal cut and double glazing, intelligent LED lighting, and high-efficiency air conditioning systems stand out. In addition, solar panels were installed to heat water and produce electricity for self-consumption, including batteries, and measures are also planned to save water. These changes will allow Agrária de Coimbra to save 402 MWh/year, avoiding the consumption of 65 tons of oil and the emission of 155 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
This initiative reinforces the institution’s sustainability policy, which has already managed to reduce energy consumption by 30% in the last decade. In addition to modernizing infrastructure, Agrária wants to inspire the academic community to adopt more efficient practices in the use of energy and water. To this end, the involvement of students and teachers from the Undergraduate courses in Technology and Environmental Management, the Master’s in Sustainable Development and the Master’s in Environmental Management is essential, with energy efficiency present in their curricula.
Agrária de Coimbra offers higher-level courses in the areas of agronomy, forestry, zootechnics, veterinary nursing, biotechnology, food, ecotourism and the environment. In addition to teaching, ESAC is a hub for innovation, research and sustainable production, always with an eye on the future.
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