Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) manages energy as part of its commitment to a healthy, sustainable and low-carbon university. Its direction is set by the Policy on Carbon Neutrality (Scope 1) by 2050 and Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2065 (SWU Zero Carbon), announced on 13 December 2024, which requires all university areas to reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 5% each year, replace lighting and air conditioners with energy-efficient equipment, promote solar energy, and apply energy-saving standards to new and renovated buildings. The University has further strengthened this commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding with its faculties, colleges, institutes and offices, which sets the goal of becoming a carbon neutral university by 2040. Energy management is implemented across both the Prasarnmit and Ongkharak campuses. Electricity consumption is monitored by campus and by month through the SWU SDG Sustainability Dashboard and analyzed to identify priority areas for improvement, while energy-saving practices are promoted among students and staff. Emission reductions are calculated using the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) method. The University also invests in renewable energy and smart technologies, including rooftop solar systems on both campuses and a smart lighting control system at the Central Library. Together, these measures reduce energy demand and create healthier learning and working environments.
Monitoring energy usage and setting targets for reduction
Srinakharinwirot University regularly compiles and analyses electricity consumption across both Prasarnmit and Ongkharak campus, calculating usage intensity based on campus floor area to understand real energy demand. This systematic monitoring provides a reliable baseline that supports setting clear energy-reduction targets and helps track progress in improving energy efficiency over time.
Figure: SWU SDG Sustainability Web App dashboard
Sources:
1. https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycby53PzkcT8eUJD9a933GyE_59Tyse0n8TG1QjRJUxyqwEYqK_xBcjTKrLDgHnuEIs7G/exec
2. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/731
Initiating programs to promote behavioral changes aimed at conserving energy
SWU promotes energy-saving behavior among students and staff through unit-level campaigns and measurable targets, in line with the SWU Zero Carbon Policy’s goal of reducing electricity consumption by 5% each year. The Office of the President runs an energy-saving campaign that asks staff to set air conditioners to 25–26 °C, switch off lights during the lunch break, and turn off electrical appliances at the end of the working day. Signs reminding users to switch off lights after use are posted throughout university buildings as a simple, continuous prompt for everyday behavior. At Prasarnmit Campus, the Central Library has set energy and resource management goals for fiscal year 2026 and communicates them to staff and library users to encourage shared responsibility for energy conservation.
Figure: การรณรงค์การประหยัดและการลดใช้พลังงาน สำนักงานอธิการบดี มศว
Figure: Signs promoting electricity saving by switching off lights after use
Figure: เป้าหมายการจัดการพลังงานและใช้ทรัพยากร สำนักหอสมุดกลาง มศว
Source: https://lib.swu.ac.th/news-events/recommended-green/energy-resource-management-goals-fiscal-year-2026/
Conducting detailed analysis of both behavioral energy usage and infrastructure performance to identify and address system failures.
SWU analyzes energy use at the campus, building and monthly levels to identify energy waste and system problems. Using electricity data, solar generation by building and the building floor-area database in the SWU SDG Sustainability Web App, the University compares energy use intensity (EUI) between campuses and tracks year-on-year and monthly changes. The 2025 analysis showed that Prasarnmit Campus had the highest intensity, at 0.32 GJ/m², more than twice that of Ongkharak Campus (0.14 GJ/m²). Its electricity use rose by 12.1%, from 25,505,465 kWh in 2024 to 28,597,988 kWh in 2025, and monthly consumption increased from 1.03 million kWh in January to more than 3.2 million kWh in each month from August to October. Ongkharak Campus, by contrast, reduced its use by 7.6%. Based on these findings, Prasarnmit Campus was identified as the priority area for energy-saving measures. At building level, the Central Library operates a smart energy monitoring system that displays real-time electricity from its 99.45 kWp rooftop solar system and the grid, together with energy use by floor and by system (air conditioning, equipment and lighting), allowing abnormal consumption to be detected quickly. To address lighting waste, the Library is upgrading its existing building to a smart lighting control system (contract awarded on 27 May 2025). Infrastructure faults, such as power outages and electrical problems, can be reported through the University's online reporting system, operated by the Physical Development Division and the Sustainable Development Division, so that repairs are made promptly.
Sources:
1. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/725
2. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/722
3. https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycby53PzkcT8eUJD9a933GyE_59Tyse0n8TG1QjRJUxyqwEYqK_xBcjTKrLDgHnuEIs7G/exec
4. https://process5.gprocurement.go.th/egp-template-service/dwnt/view-pdf-file?templateId=84f0445f-618f-412f-9e8b-b986adca5ca2
5. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSnh2NLDaNE0E0a78kDUL84yhHDQ7URL70w9Tp_sb8f5ymSA/viewform
Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and implementing strategies for reduction
SWU monitors greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use and implements reduction strategies under its SWU Zero Carbon Policy, which targets a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year, carbon neutrality (Scope 1) by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. The policy sets out concrete reduction measures, including replacing lighting with LED bulbs, installing energy-efficient (Label No. 5) air conditioners, promoting solar and floating solar systems, renovating and constructing buildings to energy-saving standards, and planting trees to increase green space. This commitment is reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding on SWU Carbon Neutrality by 2040, under which the University and its faculties, colleges, institutes and offices agree to implement emission reduction and carbon capture measures, to manage the carbon footprint of all units, and to establish a greenhouse gas emissions database covering buildings, infrastructure, energy, waste and water management. Emission reductions are calculated using the method of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO). For example, after installing a 74 kWp rooftop solar system on its auditorium, the Faculty of Engineering reduced its grid electricity use from 380,100 kWh to 328,000 kWh between June and September 2026, compared with the same period in 2025. This saving of 52,100 kWh (13.71%) avoided approximately 24.75 tCO₂e, based on Thailand's grid emission factor of 0.4750 kgCO₂e/kWh. At Prasarnmit Campus, the Central Library's smart energy monitoring system tracks the emissions avoided by its rooftop solar system, which had reached a cumulative 72.5 tonnes of CO₂.
Figure 1: SWU Carbon Neutrality 2040 declaration ceremony, 12 July 2024.
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-13/1341
Figure: SWU Zero Carbon / SWU Zero Waste policy, announced on 13 December 2024 by the Acting President of Srinakharinwirot University
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/723
Smart energy monitoring in the Central Library building Alongside the smart lighting upgrade, the Central Library building has a smart energy monitoring system that measures and tracks its energy use. The system’s dashboard, shown on a screen inside the library, displays in real time the power the building receives from its rooftop solar panels (installed capacity 99.45 kWp) and from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) grid, the power and daily energy used on each floor, and the energy used for air-conditioning, equipment and lighting. It also keeps a running total of the benefits of the solar system: when the photo below was taken, the dashboard showed 58.7 tons of coal saved and 72.5 tons of CO2 emissions avoided, equivalent to 99 trees. With this information, the library can see where and when energy is used, check how much grid electricity is replaced by solar power, and follow up on energy-saving measures floor by floor.
Figure: Smart energy monitoring dashboard on display in the Central Library building, showing real-time power from solar panels and the MEA grid, power use on each floor, energy use for air-conditioning, equipment and lighting, and accumulated coal saved, CO2 avoided and equivalent trees.
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/722
Using alternative energy sources such as biogas, solar energy, etc.
In line with the SWU Zero Carbon Policy, which requires the University to promote alternative energy such as solar cells and floating solar systems, SWU generates solar electricity on both campuses and uses it on site. In 2025, solar PV systems produced 129,495.16 kWh (466 GJ) of low-carbon electricity. At Ongkharak Campus, rooftop systems on the Administration Building and the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center generated 128,773.89 kWh, of which only 162.83 kWh was exported to the grid; the Administration Building system alone supplied about 14% of the building’s electricity. A further 721.27 kWh was generated at the Bioshop and used entirely on site. In December 2025, the Faculty of Engineering completed a 74 kWp rooftop system of 140 monocrystalline panels on its auditorium, which reduced the faculty’s grid electricity use by 13.71% from June to September 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. At Prasarnmit Campus, the Central Library operates a 99.45 kWp rooftop solar system, which had avoided a cumulative 72.5 tonnes of CO₂, and the campus provides an electric vehicle charging station. Beyond solar power, the Faculty of Engineering transferred low-carbon biomass kiln technology, which converts agricultural residues into biochar and wood vinegar, to a community enterprise in Nakhon Nayok on 1–3 April 2025. To expand renewable capacity, the University plans to install solar carports of at least 180 kWp over existing parking areas in 2027, which are expected to save about 200,000 kWh a year and to serve as a learning facility for engineering students.
Figure: Solar PV generation by building, Ongkharak Campus, 2025 (SWU SDG Sustainability Web App) — 7.5.1
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/751
Figure: 74 kWp rooftop solar system on the Faculty of Engineering auditorium — 7.2.3
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/723
Figure: Rooftop solar system and energy dashboard, Central Library, Prasarnmit Campus — 7.2.2
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/722
Figure: Low-carbon biomass kiln technology transfer, Nakhon Nayok
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/745
Sources:
1. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/751
2. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/742
3. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/723
4. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/722
5. https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/745
6. https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycby53PzkcT8eUJD9a933GyE_59Tyse0n8TG1QjRJUxyqwEYqK_xBcjTKrLDgHnuEIs7G/exec
Any other specialized healthy lifestyle support services offered
In line with the SWU Zero Carbon Policy, which encourages the renovation of existing buildings according to energy-saving guidelines, the Faculty of Engineering renovated its auditorium as a model of an energy-efficient and healthy learning space. Completed in December 2025, the renovation integrated a 74 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic system of 140 monocrystalline panels (545 W each), fully connected to the building's electrical network so that the electricity generated is used on site. The renovated auditorium now provides upgraded facilities for teaching, learning and university events, offering students, staff and visitors a more comfortable environment while drawing less electricity from the grid. The results are measurable: from June to September 2026, the Faculty's grid electricity use fell from 380,100 kWh to 328,000 kWh compared with the same period in 2025, a reduction of 13.71% that avoided about 24.75 tCO₂e. The auditorium also serves as a learning resource, allowing engineering students to see renewable energy and energy-efficient building design in practice.
Figure: The Faculty of Engineering Auditorium after the energy-efficient renovation, with upgraded learning and event facilities in use.
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-7/722