Vote UCC in SEAI awards

22 Oct 2015

UCC’s green credentials have again been recognised, with a public vote underway to help decide the overall winner in the Leadership category at the Sustainable Energy Awards 2015. Vote for UCC here.

Already ranked 2nd globally in the Universitas Indonesia (UI) Greenmetric World University Rankings in 2014 and 2015, UCC’s student-led sustainability efforts have again been recognised nationally, this time by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Energy Awards 2015.

UCC is shortlisted in the Leadership category in recognition of its excellence in energy management alongside six other organisations. A public vote open until 02 November will whittle this down to a final shortlist of three, with the ultimate winner announced at a gala event on 19 November. You can vote for UCC here (it only takes 30 seconds!).

Telecoms & Utilities Administrator Denis Brosnan of UCC Buildings and Estates commented:

"UCC are delighted that our actions as leaders in sustainable design and energy management has been acknowledged. We are hoping to receive votes so we can continue to promote sustainability and energy awareness through operations, teaching and research at our green campus."

In past awards in the competition, UCC has been shortlisted as finalist every year in at least one category, and were successful in winning three awards as follows:

2005 Award Winner for Thermal Energy Project - Glucksman Gallery:

This project demonstrated innovative design/operation of the Glucksman Gallery, thanks to GETTS (Ground Energy Thermal Transfer System).

2008 Overall Category Winner for Excellence in Building Design/Specification:

This project demonstrated energy efficient design of the 6000m2 postgraduate library.

2011 Renewable Energy Systems:

This renewable energy project is centred on a 1 MW Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP), which provides heating & cooling for the Western Gateway Building. Ground water which has been heated by solar energy is the main heat source, with heat rejected from a server room as a secondary source.

Green track record

UCC has been continuously recognised for its work in the area of campus sustainability over the last number of years. On top of being named one of the most sustainable universities in the world by the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings two years in a row, other highlights include:

• UCC was shortlisted as the only Irish representative along with 16 other companies from across Europe in the final of the European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) in December 2014.
• It became the world’s first Green Flag Campus for third level institutions in 2010, awarded by An Taisce and the Foundation for Environmental Education, an accolade that was renewed in April 2013.
• UCC won an Excellence in Environment award at the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards 2013 held by Chambers Ireland in Dublin. UCC also joined forces with the SEAI in November 2012, under its Public Sector Energy Partnership programme. This sees UCC take the lead in contributing to valuable and sustainable energy savings towards the national energy efficiency target of 33% for 2020.
• UCC is also accredited as the world’s first third-level institution to be awarded the IS0 50001 standard in energy management. ISO 50001 enables organisations to establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption.

Further information on UCC’s commitment to environmental citizenship can be found at http://www.ucc.ie/en/greencampus/

Vote Now for your winner in the Sustainable Energy Awards - Leadership category #SEAIAwards15 http://t.co/cvGS4oTOdn pic.twitter.com/t6nUzuFGWq

— SEAI (@SEAI_ie) October 16, 2015

Rt pls? We'd really appreciate your vote @UCCGreenCampus @UCCEnvirosoc @UCC_Energy @johbees #cork #ireland https://t.co/mnxMybeG4E

— UCC Ireland (@UCC) October 17, 2015

Hello All @ucc are finalists for SEAI Energy Award can you please take a minute and vote? RT http://t.co/AhQffF0wkk pic.twitter.com/ypwSLa7F3j

— UCC Energy (@UCC_Energy) October 14, 2015