Key Metrics for Energy Planning in Academic Institutions

Academic institutions represent significant energy consumers, not only due to the magnitude and variability of their energy demand over time but also because of their institutional responsibility to promote sustainable practices. Despite this relevance, the scientific literature still lacks comprehensive benchmark indicators specifically tailored to the energy behavior of universities, thereby hindering the development of effective energy planning strategies in this sector. This study helps to address this gap by analyzing key energy performance indicators, with a focus on electricity consumption, across a representative experimental dataset. The dataset comprises 156 consumption units from ten Italian universities, selected to capture a broad spectrum of climatic zones, urban environments, energy systems, functional uses of spaces, and levels of utility availability. The analysis revealed an average electricity consumption of approximately 60 kWh/m2/year, with significantly higher values in warmer regions, mainly due to the widespread adoption of fully electric thermal systems. A baseline consumption level of around 35 kWh/m2/year was identified. Furthermore, electricity consumption normalized by Heating Degree Days reached values of approximately 500 kWh/HDD/year, particularly in centers with a prevalence of laboratories. The findings offer relevant insights for stakeholders (including designers, facility and energy managers, and policymakers), supporting data-driven decision making in the energy planning processes of academic environments.