Moving energetically ahead

Abstract

On a satellite view of the University of Malta’s (UM) Tal-Qroqq campus on Google Maps, the first thing to stand out is the dystopian dominance of dull car parks, but then the viewer's eye is drawn to glistening black rectangles. They help the campus make the most of its sun-baked surfaces. ‘Eighty percent of effective roof area is covered with PV [photovoltaic] panels,’ proudly says Prof. Ing. Joseph Micallef, who chairs the Committee for Sustainability at the University of Malta (C-SUM). His team made a breakthrough by focusing on three areas: renewable energy generation, efficient air conditioning systems, and wiser use of energy-saving lighting.