The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Living Lab Project

Innovation happens when ideas meet ability! The campuses of Ben Gurion University are exactly the place to try to realize the wildest fantasies and dreams and test the craziest inventions 'for real'!
The Green Campus Living Lab Project transforms the campuses of Ben Gurion University in the Negev into a research arena for practical sustainability. We invite the public to submit proposals for field research, a pilot, a prototype, or a practical experiment in the sustainability field that can be carried out in the coming months!

Why become involved?

Applying research excellence and innovation for reducing the institution's environmental impact.
To advance practical and sustainable solutions to organizational and everyday environmental issues.
Finding innovative ways to achieve the environmental policy goals of Ben Gurion University.
Producing a new scientific contribution that can be anchored in the real world (not in laboratory conditions).

The Green Campus Living Lab Project offers financial support for projects or applied research that will use Ben-Gurion University's campus grounds or facilities as a research arena for practical sustainability in one or more (but not only) of the following areas:

Dealing with the climate crisis	Changes in human activity patterns	Ecosystem research
Reducing the carbon footprint of public bodies Reducing use and increasing efficiency in resource consumption Adaptating buildings for climatic efficiency and building green Adaptating to climate change Better treatment of waste and sewage Conservating energy	Sustainable mileage solutions Inter-organizational and intra-organizational circular economy Adopting sustainable consumption patterns Increasing environmental awareness Organizing sustainable behavior	Increasing biodiversity in urban areas Increasing biodiversity in desert and arid environments Examining interactions between humans and the natural system Advancing biotechnological and nanotechnological developments Creating sustainable urban environment

What is our support?

Research and projects of an applied nature that relate to the detailed areas of interest, or in the spirit of the principles of sustainability, that will use the facilities of Ben-Gurion University's campuses as a 'living laboratory' (that is, a platform for experimentation, research, or application) and are found suitable will receive assistance in one or more of the following ways:

Assistance in financing the project or research

Access to university data

Assistance in using the university infrastructure (equipment, space, facilities, etc.) that is relevant to the conduct of the research or project

Assignment of professional guidance from the university or other company - following the project's requirements

Projects in progress

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Renewable energy potential in institutions

This study estimates the potential contribution of renewable energy to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and energy saving and efficiency. The simulations run in this project were based on real consumption and the built environment of the Marcus campus.

Air quality monitoring in buildings 24/7

About 20 air quality sensors were installed and now monitor the air quality and other parameters on an ongoing basis. Through a special portal online you can get continuous information about the air quality on campus at any time.

Temperature monitoring in buildings

The temperature monitoring system is based on the principle of multi-functionality and is incorporated into the smoke detectors on the campus. Monitoring the temperature in real-time allows the university to optimize the climatic comfort in the buildings, determine the energy consumption required for heating and cooling, and deal with problematic points and malfunctions.

University sustainable procurement barometer

The index provides a local assessment of sustainability in public organizations and universities and allows long-term monitoring of change in trends. The index produces a full picture of the strengths and weaknesses in the sustainable conduction of an institute.

How can I participate?

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Existing Projects

The Living Lab Project applies to active researchers at Ben Gurion University who's projects are in line with the definition of the foundation's goals of creating sustainable projects with far-reaching applications. Support granted to projects will be determined based on the cooperation of Green Campus with the research laboratory to benefit both the academic interest and the promotion of the university's environmental policy goals.

New Projects

The foundation welcomes proposals from faculty, students, and the general public regarding initiatives through its open track. Each proposal in this track will be examined on its individual merits, therefore the foundation encourages the general public to submit proposals and initiatives even if they do not coincide with the topics of interest mentioned above. However, one set condition is the project must be conducted on one of the campuses of Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Student Projects

Every student during studies must submit projects and theses to receive academic credit. We invite the students to submit a proposal adding a significant environmental contribution to their existing academic tasks, thereby creating a Living Lab Project as part of their regular academic studies.

Interested? For more details and questions please contact us at cgreen@bgu.ac.il