Lancaster University are transforming the way they heat their campus with a multimillion-pound decarbonisation project, which has just passed a major milestone with the completion of the 6.5km district heating network.
The heat network is made up of a series of highly insulated, underground pipework, which will distribute low-carbon heat across the campus, supplying approximately 250 buildings across the campus. Originally, the network supplied only 65% of the University’s buildings, but the new expansion will see that rise to 95%.
Scott Lutton, Regional Director for Vital Energi, explained, “The University has around 15,000 students, and we know how important protecting the environment and tackling climate change is to them. This project will allow the University to benefit from low-carbon heating every day."
In addition to the completion of the heat network, the new Energy Centre 2 has seen strong progress with key areas like the external envelope, thermal stores and heat pumps now in place. Once complete, the mixture of water and air source heat pumps will be capable of creating 39-Giggawatt Hours of low-carbon heat and hot water.
This project is a core part of the University’s target to achieve net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. strengthening their position as leaders in sustainability.
