Lancaster University marked a major decarbonisation milestone this week with a groundbreaking event at the site of its new Net Zero Energy Centre.
Situated on the outer edge of its south east Lancaster campus, the Net Zero Energy Centre is part of a sector leading renewable energy project to virtually eliminate the use of gas to heat its Lancaster campus.
The Net Zero Energy Centre is being delivered by local, renewable energy company Vital Energi and the event highlighted Lancaster University’s continued progress on its ambitious Net Zero Energy Project.
The new centre will house an innovative array of state-of-the-art air and water source heat pumps totalling 7 megawatts along with a 1 megawatt e-boiler, generating a projected 39-Gigawatt hours (GWh) of low carbon heat, enough to heat 95% of campus buildings. The centre will also include 1,500 cubic metres of thermal stores which will supplement the new heat supply and help ensure consistent heat during peak times of the day.
A visitor facility will also be incorporated into the design of the new energy centre. This will feature an educational meeting room for visitors from the University and other universities, local schools and community groups with an interest in sustainable energy, specifically heat pump technology.
To carry the heat across campus, 6.5km of district heating pipework is also being installed to increase the network’s coverage from approximately 65% of buildings to 95%. This will connect 247 buildings and properties to the district heat network to receive low-carbon heat and water. The project is expected to be complete in early 2027.
Lancaster University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield led the event on the site of the new energy centre, bringing together members of the University community including the project team, researchers, the contractor, and suppliers.
Lancaster University has been awarded more than £21 million of funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), which is being matched by the University to develop the Net Zero Energy Centre.
Scott Lutton, Regional Director, at Vital Energi said: “The new energy centre, utilising air and water source heat pump technology will save 2,700 tonnes of carbon annually, making a significant contribution to Lancaster University’s journey towards carbon neutrality. As part of this project, we have worked closely with Lancaster University and AECOM to engage and raise awareness of the benefits of the energy centre with the Lancaster University community, through career events, outreach, and skills development initiatives. Additionally, Vital Energi, the University, and AECOM have committed to creating 42 local jobs, 73 UK-wide positions, and providing 12 apprenticeships and graduate opportunities, further strengthening our ties with the wider Lancaster community.”
The Net Zero Energy Centre is the latest addition to Lancaster University’s extensive portfolio of pioneering sustainability projects, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sustainability.
