HSE International ISSUE 100 | Page 24

RoSPA AWARDS FACILITIES & PROPERTY 2015: SENTINEL MANAGEMENT: HOUSING LANCASTER ASSOCIATION UNIVERSITY • • • • The complex project involved: Construction of a 0.5km access road High-voltage cable connections to the University Excavation and construction of the turbine foundations Delivery and erection of the turbine itself BIOMASS BOILER The Biomass Boiler burns organic wood chips to generate heat which is then fed into the University’s district heating system. The wood chips are sourced from local, commercial forests, managed on a long-term sustainable basis and within 30 miles of the University. Installation of the Biomass Boiler commenced in July 2012 in the new Energy Centre. Construction works were completed in late 2012 and the boiler was commissioned in January 2013. Between 1 August 2013 and 31 July 2014, the 1 MW boiler produced 16% of the campus heating demand and is projected to cut carbon emissions by 950 tCO2e per annum. COMBINED HEAT AND POWER ENGINE The Combined Heat and Power Engine (CHP) is a gasfired engine that produces heat and electricity and is used to power and heat student residences, lecture theatres and offices across campus, via the district heating system. Carbon emissions from electricity produced by the CHP 24 HSE INTERNATIONAL are approximately half of those from electricity taken from the grid, whilst the cost of electricity from the CHP is also significantly lower than that from the grid. The CHP supplied 28% of the University’s annual electricity consumption in 2013-14, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 2,000 tCO2e per annum; enough electricity to supply 1755 houses for one year. Overall, the CHP supplies approximately 50% of the campus heating demand. Jan Bastiaans, Energy Manager, Lancaster University, commented: “As custodians of the land we occupy, it is our responsibility to ensure the actions we take enhance, protect or preserve our environment and resources. At Lancaster University we lead a number of initiatives to promote and fully embed sustainability. Our wind turbine and CHP engine now supply 40% of our electricity usage. We have increased our recycling rate from 4% to 80% over the last seven years and reduced our carbon emissions by 22% since 2005. “Our pioneering approach to sustainability has enabled us to forge a reputation as a sector leader and brought us a clutch of awards which recognise excellence across HE. “In 2015 we enjoyed double success in the prestigious Green Gown Awards – winning one award for our integrated, cutting-edge food project, Edible Campus, (alongside Lancaster University Students’ Union) and another for the ground-breaking work undertaken by the University’s Centre for Global Eco-Innovation. This followed