Energy is at the heart of global challenges: the climate crisis, pollution and inequality are closely linked to our consumption patterns.
Every choice, from resource management to the training of new generations, must be oriented towards reducing environmental and social impact. Research, innovation and education must drive concrete change, transforming the way we live, work and interact.
The role of people
The success of our actions also depends on everyday behaviour. The entire University community must become an active part of change by adopting responsible practices in the use of spaces and equipment. Moreover, reducing waste is a collective responsibility.
Energy plan: results and outlooks
The University combines principles with measurable data, targeted actions and strategies. Every choice is made to generate a real impact, reducing our ecological footprint and promoting fairer patterns. To this end, our approach is based on:
- Constant monitoring of energy consumption, emissions and resource management.
- Initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint, from sustainable mobility to energy efficiency in buildings.
- Research and innovation projects to develop sustainable solutions also applicable at the territorial level.
In 2024, the University of Bologna developed the first Energy Plan in its history, a commitment based on three fundamental principles: social responsibility, scientific innovation and long-term vision. The aim is to ensure a more efficient use of energy and to reduce environmental impact, guiding collective behaviour by example.
The Energy Plan brings combines an energy report (a detailed overview of electricity and gas consumption on University campuses, comparing it with previous years) with improvement strategies, inclusive of indicators and actions.
Download the Energy Plan [.pdf 8987 KB]
What has been done
With more than one million square metres of occupied floor space, the University of Bologna is seeing its energy demand grow. However, essential elements for sustainable growth are consumption containment and the reduction of emissions and costs.
The University is still dependent on natural gas, district heating and the electricity grid, with autonomous production from photovoltaic panels being still limited (3% in 2022). The plan outlines medium- and long-term scenarios based on this data.
The University is already on a transformational path involving initiatives, activities and research.
Analysis of home-work and home-study travel habits
Every year, the University administers a questionnaire to analyse the home-work and home-study travel habits of the University community. The data collected helps to develop mobility strategies that are more in line with people's needs.
Find out more about the University's travel plans
Public transport concessions
Student concessions
Students may purchase public transport passes in Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini at special prices.
Staff concessions
Staff have dedicated concessions to encourage more sustainable and efficient mobility.
Find out more on the University Intranet (in Italian)
Micro-filtered water dispensers
The University of Bologna has installed more than one hundred micro-filtered mains water dispensers on its campuses, in line with the University's Strategic Plan to reduce its environmental impact, improve quality of life in University spaces, and promote more responsible lifestyles.
Limiting the use of single-use plastics means not only reducing waste, but also taking a more conscious approach to the management of an essential resource such as water. Installation of the dispensers, according to a technical and logistical plan, is now almost complete.
See the list of active dispensers [.pdf 48 KB]
Mobility: low-emission vehicle, bicycles and electric charging
The University of Bologna promotes sustainable mobility with car-sharing and low-emission vehicles. In 2022, with a fleet of 50 vehicles (both hybrid and electric), it embarked on a project to reduce the number of vehicles and implement an advanced management system, developed by CESIA, to optimise their use.
To support the electric fleet, the University has installed a fast-charging system:
- 24 kW Fast Chargers in Bologna and Cesena, for charging vehicles in about two hours.
- A 22 kW station in Rimini, which halves traditional charging times.
This infrastructure facilitates travel between campuses, making routes such as Bologna-Rimini more sustainable.
In cooperation with the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering, the project studies electricity consumption and develops innovative charging systems.
The Almabike project promotes cycling on University campuses by offering 600 custom-designed bicycles. In 2022, 300 Almabikes were distributed, with a further 200 bicycles being supplied to ER.GO student halls of residence, to promote environmentally friendly mobility for resident students.
As part of the research, the DICAM-ATES project, conducted in collaboration with Technion in Haifa, equipped 50 Almabikes with in-built environmental sensors to monitor the impact of awareness on air quality during home-work trips. The study, conducted between May and July 2022, collected data on urban pollution, analysed and visualised on an interactive web application.
To support its staff, the University has also introduced 100 electric scooters, available on request for work needs.
Green solutions
The University of Bologna is committed to the environmental redevelopment of University spaces through the introduction of green roofs and micro roof gardens, installed on the roofs of various buildings. These solutions promote energy efficiency, improve air quality and contribute to rainwater management, thereby integrating with the University's sustainability strategies.
The benefits of green roofs
Energy efficiency and thermal insulation
Green roofs reduce heat loss between indoors and outdoors, improving comfort within the building and decreasing energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Improving air quality
Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide and transforms it into oxygen, reducing air pollution and mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon. In addition, plants trap fine dust and other polluting particles.
Sustainable water management
Green roof substrates ensure high water retention, returning up to 80% of rainwater to the environment through evapotranspiration. This reduces the outflow of waste water, easing the load on the sewerage system.
Acoustic insulation
Vegetation absorbs sound, contributing to the reduction of noise pollution on campuses.
Projects implemented at the University
Currently, the University of Bologna has implemented more than 1,000 m² of green roofs, with several pilot projects:
- Engineering - Lazaretto: two extensive green roofs (120 m²), with a weather station and sensors for water run-off.
- School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine - CAAB: five extensive green roofs covering 932 m², also used for research into new plant species and drainage water quality.
- Former Red Cross building, Via San Petronio Vecchio: green roof with crassulaceae, plants with low water requirements that reduce the need for irrigation and maintenance, improving thermal and acoustic insulation.
Waste management
The University of Bologna sorts waste into plastic, paper, cans, glass, toner cartridges and batteries, extending to system in use at the University citadel also to the other sites in Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini.
In order to encourage correct disposal, customised containers bearing the University's logo have been installed, reinforcing the message of sustainability outside the University as well.
Nastro Verde: cinema and sustainability
Nastro Verde is a sustainability-themed film festival offering a critical and integrated perspective, with a view to informing, raising awareness and stimulating conscious participation.
The initiative highlights the link between climate change, global instability and individual responsibility, promoting a change of consciousness for a more balanced future.
The programme includes feature films, short films, documentaries, fiction and animation. Each screening is introduced by scientific experts and followed by a debate, exploring in depth the issues addressed by the films.
Find out more about the initiative (in Italian)
How to improve
The energy transition plan has several stages, with clear and progressive targets to be reached by 2030, following the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55% programme.
2024-2025| Energy transition kick-off and first transformations
EUR 4.4 million in 2024 and EUR 4.5 million in 2025 to start designing key actions that will improve the efficiency of the energy system:
- Expansion of photovoltaic systems (5.4 MWp) to increase renewable energy production.
- Relamping to optimise indoor and outdoor lighting.
- Enhancement of the BMS system for intelligent plant monitoring.
- UNI EN ISO 50001 certification for more effective energy management.
- Energy audits to access energy efficiency calls.
- Completion of the phase-out of diesel- and oil-fuelled power plants (M1).
2026-2027 | Efficiency and innovation
The University will continue to improve its energy infrastructure with strategic interventions:
- Relamping of interior spaces (M3) to reduce consumption.
- Installation of new photovoltaic plants for 5.4 MWp (M4).
- Obtaining the UNI EN ISO 50001 (M5) certification.
- Replacement of all gas boilers and registration of heating installations (M6).
2026-2030 | Energy upgrading of buildings
In order to improve the comfort and efficiency of buildings with poor thermal insulation, the University will launch a building upgrading plan with targeted interventions.
- Early planning (2024-2025) in case of dedicated calls.
- Expected completion by 2030 (M7).
- Progressively replacing of gas boilers with heat pumps (M10) and connecting buildings to district heating grids, where available.
2029-2030 | Optimisation and digitisation
In the final stages of the plan, the focus will shift to smart energy management and maintenance of renewable plants:
- Enhanced photovoltaic monitoring and replacement of older panels (M8).
- Connection of all heating plants to the BMS (M9).
An open innovation laboratory
The University of Bologna experiments with new energy models by collaborating with public and private entities to co-finance projects and make a concrete contribution to the territory's ecological transition.
See also
- Energy supply contracts Published