ROOFING, CLADDING & FAÇADES
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
The new energy centre will house an innovative array of state-of-the-art air and water source heat pumps totaling 7MW, along with four 250kW e-boilers totaling 1MW generating a projected 39 Gigawatt hours( GWh) of low carbon heat- enough to heat 95 % of campus buildings. The centre will also include 1,500m3 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 other universities, local schools and community groups with an interest in sustainable energy, specifically heat networks.
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 be connected to more than 200 properties from the district heat network to receive low-carbon heat and water.
The project is expected to be completed in early 2027. The university has also recently completed a 11.3MW solar farm, on 52 acres of university land east of the M6.
Vital Energy’ s regional director Scott Lutton 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.”
Energy Centre 2 is the latest addition to Lancaster University’ s extensive portfolio of pioneering sustainability projects, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sustainability. It is home to one of the largest environmental science research centres in Europe.
* 2026 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
www. magply. co. uk
PAGE 93- ARCHETECH