Green Gown Awards 2020 - The University of Sheffield - Finalist

Powering ahead with a low carbon supply

This project started as a student campaign called ‘UoS Clean Energy Switch’ for the University of Sheffield to switch to a fully renewable electricity contract. By campaigning, the student group raised the profile of this issue and attracted the attention of senior University leaders. The students then went on to work with staff to look at the risks and opportunities associated with switching and the different contractual options that would best support the renewables industry.  

As a result of this collective effort, the University signed a REGO backed electricity contract with Bryt Energy, a fully renewable supplier supporting solar, wind and hydro power. This project demonstrates a genuine partnership between student campaigners and university staff to deliver an approximate saving of 17,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. In supporting a fully renewable electricity supplier, Sheffield hopes to support the wider industry as further investment will increase renewable electricity capacity.  

Top 3 learnings:

1. Genuine partnership between students and staff makes the most effective sustainability changes.  
2. The sustainable option does not have to be expensive.  
3. Through our purchasing power we can make a difference.