Electricity Savings and Carbon Mitigation Potential of a University Campus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

This study estimates the electricity consumption and related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the buildings and facilities the main campus of the International University – Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The AIM/Enduse model is used to calculate the CO2 emissions in 2019 based on the recorded electricity consumption and project the electricity consumption as well as the CO2 emissions for the two scenarios, namely 2030baseline and 2030mitigation, in 2030 based on the future strategic plan to evaluate the energy savings and CO2 mitigation potential for the university. We found that space cooling accounts for 67.9% of total electricity use, followed by laboratory equipment with 19.1%, official equipment with 9.4%, lifting with 1.7%, lighting with 0.4% and remaining services with 1.4%. If electricity efficiency technologies are applied, especially in space cooling service, then the electricity consumption and CO2 emissions in 2030 could be 13% less than baseline scenario. Consumer behavior, particularly students, is also important in increasing the potential of electricity savings for the university. These findings for A1-A2 buildings are necessary for IU-VNU in implementing energy savings and mitigation measures for the new building A3 to achieve sustainable investment and higher CO2 mitigation potential.