2.1 Operation Renovation One of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is to reduce our energy consumption, and this naturally involves improving the insulation of buildings. Construction of the Sart Tilman campus began in the 1960s, «a time when little or no thought was given to insulation during construction», explains Rudi Cloots, the Rector’s Adviser on Infrastructure. Five buildings have therefore been identified as being particularly energy-intensive and in need of renovation. If we look at the entire life cycle of a building, its energy renovation is preferable to its demolition, both from an energy and environmental point of view. For the renovation of buildings, the criteria imposed by the EU are particularly strict. «The work must generate at least 30% primary energy savings and comply with draconian environmental standards,» explains AnneFrançoise Marique, Director of the Property Resources Department. These standards, known as DNSH (Do Not Significantly Harm), are designed to cause as little damage to the environment as possible. «The work itself, as well as the building after renovation, must emit as few greenhouse gases as possible, whether from electricity or heating, and must not emit pollutants,» explains Rudi Cloots. «Biodiversity must be preserved, as must water resources. Wastewater must therefore be treated appropriately. Lastly, building materials must be part of the circular economy, and construction waste must therefore be integrated into recovery and recycling channels.» For each renovation, the buildings will also be fitted with meters to measure consumption in real time. «ULiège has an Energy Unit that monitors consumption very closely, so we can intervene quickly if there are any deviations from the expected figures, and this has a very positive impact on our energy consumption,» says Anne-Françoise Marique. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Union has put forward a recovery plan designed to stimulate the economy while combating global warming. As part of this plan, the University of Liège is benefiting from funds allocated by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation for the energy renovation of its buildings. Anne-Françoise Marique Director of the Human Resources Administration Rudi Cloots Advisor to the Rector on Infrastructure 8 | ACTIVITY REPORT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT ULIÈGE | 2022 – 2023
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