UNSW leads the way for Australian universities, transitioning to renewable electric energy across all Sydney residential colleges. The replacement of outdated gas systems is a key milestone as the University strides toward its net zero emissions goal.

UNSW Sydney has ditched gas and adopted clean, renewable electric power for all student accommodation sites, kitchens, childcare, sports and hospitality facilities at the Kensington and Paddington campuses.

The current upgrade prevents around 700 tonnes of CO2 emissions per yearUniversity-wide electrification due by 2030UNSW is on track toachieve net zero by 2050. 

Better facilities, healthier environments

At UNSW’s Goldstein Hall in Kensington – it’s cooking with gas, no more! The kitchen serves more than 1,300 meals daily. Senior Manager of Energy and Utilities at UNSW, Jose Bilbao, said the now fully electrified commercial kitchen had revolutionised operations.  

“It has been absolutely rewarding seeing the kitchen before and after,” he said. “The fryers don’t produce fumes when we’re using them, so it’s a lot healthier here, much better air quality, it’s cooler and we’re using less energy.”

Head Chef at Goldstein Hall, Eve Wannasorn, said the change from a gas-powered to electric kitchen had been positive for both staff and students. “Making a stew for around 300 people used to take about three hours. Now it’s around 45 minutes,” she said. “The food tastes nice. It’s fresher. And chefs don’t need to waste time changing oil manually. It means the quality of the food is much better.”

Looking ahead to net zero

UNSW is leading the charge to electrification for Australian universities. This first phase of UNSW’s electrification program has reduced UNSW’s emissions from natural gas by an estimated 10%. Across all UNSW Sydney colleges, gas-powered systems have been replaced with:

34 heat pump-operated dryers and 34 washers31 induction cooktops and 10 electric barbecuesNew high-efficiency electric commercial kitchen appliances such as fryers, pressurised Bratt pans, and dishwashing systems8 domestic hot water heat pumps, with a total heating capacity of 400 kW, and 18 hot water tanks (total of more than 12,000 litres of hot water), replacing more than 20 instant hot water gas units.

All electrical amenities are powered by renewable solar energy, thanks to the University’s on-site solar system and the Sunraysia Solar Farm through a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). UNSW is expected to save 1.25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the 15-year term of agreement.

Chief Property Officer at UNSW, Timothy Beattie, said the transition had set an example for the broader Australian industry. “Electrification is not only possible, and critical to achieve the Paris agreement, but also desired as it provides so many direct and indirect benefits, like better air quality, operational efficiencies, and reduction of fugitive emissions,” he said.

“This is an important investment for the University and the community. Once the program is completed, we’ll save around 155,000 GJ of gas per year. That’s like removing more than 5,300 cars from the road.”

UNSW is one of the world’s leading universities for environmental and social sustainability, ranked 12th globally.