Lancaster University has taken a giant leap towards net zero, regularly generating 100% of its own electricity for the first time this spring through a new solar farm.
Designed to include an agrivoltaics field demonstrator, a facility to inform how farming and electricity production might be designed to work alongside one another, the solar farm is just one part of a major campus-wide drive to cut carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy sources.
This is the latest in a series of ambitious clean energy milestones which have already halved campus energy-related emissions, opened research and teaching opportunities and effectively established a ‘living laboratory’ for low carbon energy transition.
The University has already slashed its energy-related carbon emissions from a peak of 25,900 tonnes CO2e in 2005 to 10,900 tonnes CO2e in 2025. And together, the University’s wind turbine, new solar farm, heat pump array and expanded district heat network (under construction) are expected to reduce University-related energy emissions to net zero by 2030.
The University is now regularly generating 100% of its own electricity for the first time.
As well as implementing research-informed energy saving measures, the University has radically transformed the way it is powered and heated, thanks to a series of carbon-slashing investments, including:
Situated on Hazelrigg Lane, close to the University’s wind turbine, the solar farm began producing energy late last year. The 11 MW Solar Farm was carefully installed with consideration for biodiversity and includes an important agrivoltaics field demonstrator, which will be used to explore how people might be able to use the same land for both solar electricity and agricultural production.
It will be the first of its kind in the UK and an important research, innovation, and engagement facility for scientists, researchers and industry.
A pioneering new district heat network is also contributing towards the University’s sustainable goals, cutting its carbon footprint and leading the way as a sustainable campus thanks to the University’s (£44 million) Net Zero Energy Project – part funded by the Government Green Heat Network Fund.
Officially completed next year, the extended district heat network is to be heated by one of the UK’s largest arrays of air and water source heat pumps and a series of highly insulated, underground pipes, which will distribute low-carbon heat across the campus, supplying approximately 250 buildings.
Originally, the district heat network supplied only 65% of the University’s buildings, but the new expansion, which includes 6.5km of new pipes, will see that rise to 95%. The network will all but remove the use of gas on campus.
Lancaster University Head of Estate Development (Project Delivery) Anna Cockman said: “Lancaster University has made major strides towards net zero and established one of the largest clean energy ‘living laboratories’ of its kind in Europe. We are now in a unique position to become a national demonstrator for the transition to net zero. Policy makers, businesses, students, and researchers are already making use of these important facilities.”
According to figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, Lancaster University is one of the highest producers of renewable energy of all UK universities.
Vital Energi have collaborated with the university on a range of renewable energy measures, including:
