Last year, the University of the Free State (UFS) launched a progressive institutional strategy, which contains bold but achievable goals to maximise its impact on society. Vision 130 expresses the institution’s intent and commitment to be acknowledged by peers and society as a top-tier university in South Africa, ranked among the best in the world. It highlights key focus areas
for the period leading up to 2034 when the university celebrates 130 years of existence. A set of key values have been identified to guide UFS strategies and operations – with sustainability occupying a central space.
As an institution of teaching and learning, research, and engagement, the UFS wants to use its strategic position to drive sustainability issues by establishing green campuses and adopting sustainable built environment practices.
It aims to renew, rejuvenate, regenerate, and revisit facilities and infrastructure. This includes a commitment to implementing energy-saving and effective water management initiatives for greater sustainability.
Solar energy
A flagship renewable energy project is the installation of solar plants across the three UFS campuses in response to the call for urgent solutions to load-shedding problems, and promoting sustainable, clean energy solutions.
The microgrid installation on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State is one of the biggest solar-diesel hybrid systems in South Africa, enabling this campus to keep running despite excessive power interruptions in the region.
The installed grid-tied solar plants operate without batteries on all three campuses, giving the university an optimal configuration between capital cost and payback period.
The UFS has saved up to R32,5 million since the first solar plant was commissioned in 2017. This will soon increase substantially with the commissioning of two large new ground-mounted solar plants on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Waterwise landscaping
Changing environmental conditions are putting precious water resources under strain across the world – especially in drought-prone sub-Saharan Africa.
The UFS has been implementing innovative waterwise and greywater initiatives over the past couple of years in response to continuous local drought conditions and sporadic water restrictions, replacing large expanses of lawn with hard elements and paving,
as well as waterwise indigenous plants, including a range of hardy succulents.
Rainwater harvesting systems have been fitted at all residences and academic buildings. Other water-saving initiatives include greywater systems installed at residences, waterless urinals in administrative and academic buildings, water restrainers, pressure
control systems (reducing the volume of water) and push-button systems instead of taps.
Encouraging energy-saving results
A clear indication that the energy-saving measures are yielding positive results is that energy consumption has decreased with 14,5% since 2017, even though the gross surface area of the university has grown with 8,8%.
UFS carbon emissions have shown a significant reduction over the years – from 0.115 CO2/m2 in 2013 to 0.088 CO2/m2 in 2022 – making it a frontrunner in low carbon emissions among South African higher education institutions. This is mainly
due to the implementation of energy-efficient strategies and solar generation, effectively minimising energy consumption.
The UFS not only prioritises sustainability as a fundamental institutional focus, but also actively engages in numerous projects that contribute to a more sustainable world, aligned with the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In this way, it lives up to its mission to be a research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged institution that contributes to development and social justice through the production of globally competitive graduates and knowledge.
Energy-efficient buildings
The UFS has thorough guidelines for pursuing sustainability in its built environment, with factors such as energy efficiency given meticulous consideration when new buildings and structures are planned. The university also measures and tracks energy consumption
in all its existing buildings.
On the Bloemfontein Campus, the multi-functional Modular Lecture Building offers flexible teaching and learning spaces, where large numbers of students exchange knowledge and information in an environment enhanced and supported by electronic media. This
facility is considered a hub for innovative learning, recently receiving a National Merit Award from the
South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). Adjudicators
noted that the building sets a benchmark for rational planning and technical efficiency and helps to complete the campus urban framework through its placing and material choices.
The building incorporated various energy-saving measures in its design, including building orientation to optimise exposure to sunlight in spaces where it matters, seasonal sun control, double glazing and louvres for energy conservation, rainwater harvesting
and storage on the roof of the building, trees and waterwise landscaping.
This facility forms part of an endeavour to create a cohesive campus identity that improves the university’s core business, and exemplifies its emphasis on innovation and excellence.
The UFS has adopted technical guidelines for building design and development, following the rating systems and tools developed by the
Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA),
which are used for the certification of sustainability performance in the built environment. These guidelines, which apply to indoor environmental quality, energy, materials, land use ecology, emissions, innovation, and water, among others, form part
of the measures used when new buildings are developed.
Research on water and water quality
In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), several UFS researchers are involved with important research efforts on water and water quality, including:
This research, which has earned a coveted NSTF-South32 award, focuses on a more circular use of resources where waste is reduced and resources are recycled, which has driven a paradigm shift within the scientific community about wastewater solutions.
• Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry: Developing sustainable water treatment options using biogeochemical processes in engineered technology.
The UFS has established a Mineral Biogeochemistry Research Infrastructure Platform as part of a national initiative to promote the science of biogeochemistry as a strategic objective in South Africa. It also focuses on agricultural bio-augmentation research
with industry partners to help ensure long-term food security in Africa.
•
Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS): Research
on fractured rock aquifers, industrial and mining contamination, groundwater governance and groundwater resource.
The IGS water research laboratory has ISO 17025 accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) for all its methods, setting it apart in the field of contract research on water-related topics in the mining and industrial
sectors.
WATCH: UFS' Sustainable Energy Initiatives