Scopes in 2022 at TU Delft
To measure the total carbon footprint of TU Delft, the university looks at Scope 1, 2 and 3. The carbon emissions used for scope 1, 2 and 3 are in line with the CO2-Prestatieladder method. This page is more on the scopes at TU Delft of 2022.
Scope 1
Scope 1 emissions or direct emissions, are emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by an organisation. For instance, emissions associated with fuel combustion in boilers, heat and power plants and furnaces. Natural gas is for the TU Delft the significant factor of carbon emissions in scope 1.
Scope 2
Scope 2 emissions or indirect emissions, are emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, heat, cooling or steam and are a consequence of the activities of the organisation but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the organisation. For the TU Delft scope 2 consists of the purchase of Dutch green electricity from wind farm Eneco Luchterduinen.
Scope 3
Scope 3 emissions or other indirect emissions, are emissions that occur because of the activities of the organisation but are not produced by the organisation itself and are not the result of activities from assets owned or controlled by the organisation. The scope 3 emissions are currently being identified and reviewed by the TU Delft. After the summer of 2023 the carbon footprint 2022 TU Delft will be published at the website.
Table 1. Total carbon emissions in scope 1 and 2 at TU Delft.
Gas consumption
Total gas consumption decreased in 2022. The two existing combined heat and power (CHP) plants, which produce heat and electricity, haven’t been running because of the current energy shortage caused by the war in Ukraine. The university launched an energy savings drive in 2022. Focus areas include reducing building temperatures to 19°C, adjusting closing times, using buildings more efficiently, and speeding up the further automation of climate and light control. Jointly, these measures and developments resulted in a 36% decrease compared to 2021.
Electricity consumption
Electricity consumption increased in 2022 because the combined heat and power plants did not generate electricity, resulting in 29% more wind power purchased compared to 2021. Total electricity consumption for TU Delft increased by 7.5% compared to last year. This is explained by the opening of the high-rise section of building 36 after the completion of its renovations and the opening of the Echo educational building. The university had 1,200 solar panels installed on the roof of the Echo educational building in 2022. TU Delft aims to increase energy-generation opportunities on its own campus. Around 1,132 MWh of electricity was generated from its own solar panels in 2022. This represents 1.7% of the total electricity consumption. Purchasing green electricity creates zero tonnes of carbon emissions.