海角视频

University of Leeds 鈥� Pathway to Net Zero Strategy and Implementation 

Leeds, UK

海角视频 is supporting the University of Leeds to navigate its journey towards a net zero future. 

The institution holds a special place in 海角视频鈥檚 history. This is where our founder Sir Ted 海角视频 was educated 鈥� studying geology and then, after completing National Service, civil engineering 鈥� before founding the practice in 1976. 

Ted firmly believed in professional excellence that touches the earth lightly, which is exactly what the University is striving to achieve. Accordingly, as the climate crisis deepens, ambitious steps are being taken to support the global transition to a decarbonised future. In support of this critical initiative, 海角视频鈥檚鈥�energy consultants鈥痺ere initially engaged to help develop the University鈥檚 net zero carbon implementation plan. 

We are supporting the University of Leeds to transition the campus towards a net zero future.聽

After an initial piece of work to develop a net zero pathway, our scope was broadened to act as a trusted advisor to the University throughout the campus鈥� transformation.聽

The University鈥檚 90-acre campus, on the edge of Leeds city centre, includes more than 365 buildings from a variety of eras.聽

We built a multidisciplinary team across everything from building services engineering (MEP) to acoustics, ground engineering and fire safety, to help realise the vision.聽

Challenge

The 90-acre campus, on the edge of Leeds city centre, includes more than 365 buildings from a variety of eras. Much of the campus falls within a conservation area and more than a third of buildings on the campus are listed. 

The University has developed a set of seven principles to guide actions in its response to the climate emergency. These principles build on a well-established reputation for influential climate research, a strong commitment to and sector-leading education programmes; they also complement a Climate Active Strategy that has been adopted to inform responsible investment. The first of these principles encompasses devising a strategy that will enable the realisation of a net zero carbon commitment by 2030 along with a drive to reach zero direct carbon emissions by 2050. 

In ascertaining how best to meet the net zero objective, 海角视频鈥檚鈥�energy reduction specialists鈥痺ere required to undertake a technical, commercial and institutional feasibility review of the available pathways. Selected via analytical rigour by our specialist team, a suitable approach could then be recommended with confidence. 

The key challenges initially were around recording and assessing, and building a comprehensive understanding of the existing services and infrastructure across the historic campus. A strategy could then be developed for a coordinated approach to retrofitting a range of buildings and electrifying the campus-wide district heating network.  

After this initial work, our scope was broadened to act as a trusted advisor to the University throughout the campus鈥� transformation. Key challenges for the implementation phase included planning the delivery of a new electrical power supply to support the campus’s steam-based heat network. The team also worked to rationalise the transition toward low carbon, highly efficient heat pump technology鈥攍aying the groundwork for the University鈥檚 longer-term move away from steam-based heating across its building services systems.

Solution

海角视频鈥檚 initial scope saw our experts record baseline carbon emissions and model the net zero pathway using bespoke analysis tools. These tools captured and interrogated data on existing university demands, forming the basis for a series of interventions. These measures comprised building retrofits and changes to energy generating technologies, to fully understand the cost of meeting net zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

In 2022, we were re-engaged by the University to support the implementation of the technology-led strategy. This saw us build a multidisciplinary team across everything from building services engineering (MEP) to acoustics, ground engineering and fire safety, to help shape, progress and realise the vision.聽

Our experts analysed predicted campus energy usage for 2030 鈥� the date by which the University has committed to achieving net zero carbon with offsets. We also analysed predicted campus energy usage for 2050, for when the University has committed to zero carbon production, without offsets. We have also developed a range of key interventions across the estate to support the University reaching these landmarks. 

This includes migrating the steam heat network from fossil fuel in the form of gas to electricity, but also begins the longer-term transition away from steam altogether. The engineering department buildings, which are the furthermost point of the campus from the energy centre, are scheduled to make the first transition to an innovative combination of air-source and ground-source heat pumps. 

As part of the enabling works, we are also supporting the University in delivering a more robust electrical supply, including the development of associated infrastructure and an upgrade of the primary substation. This includes an upgraded power connection to the main campus and electricity infrastructure reinforcement within the campus power network, as well as an upgrade of the existing University primary substation. 

For more than two years, a 海角视频 engineer has been embedded for part of each week within the University鈥檚 estates team as the organisation鈥檚 zero carbon infrastructure lead, to support the University with the complex engineering challenges required. Being based within the University for part of each week also ensures a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing the teams on the ground and smooth communication around the transition.  

We are working fully within the constraints of the conservation area and individual building listings and are working with stakeholders across the campus to build a plan for reducing energy consumption throughout the estate. We are also advising on a smart campus approach, including exploring the potential for the development of a real-time digital twin to support the University鈥檚 management and optimisation of its energy usage. 

Our team is also playing a key role in liaising and knowledge-sharing with the surrounding stakeholders including Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and the local authority to support a coordinated approach to decarbonisation in the county.

Value

The University of Leeds prides itself on being pioneering in terms of implementing a forward-looking net zero carbon strategy and has committed to a 拢150m capital investment to deliver a net zero carbon campus. That is the largest single investment in the history of the University. 

The recommended solutions from our initial scope will not only lower carbon emissions 鈥� which would enable the University to reach its net zero commitment on programme 鈥� it would do it while supporting the University to reduce operation expenditure.   

The enhanced campus environment 鈥� apart from embodying a significant response to the climate emergency 鈥� translates into increased wellbeing for everyone at the University of Leeds, which will further elevate a student experience that is already exceptional.  

The innovative approach to infrastructure, plant and technology is also playing an important role in supporting the students鈥� learning experience, with the interventions being used as 鈥渓iving labs鈥� as part of the University鈥檚 shift towards renewable low carbon technology research. Data will be collected through advanced metering, for students to engage with and interrogate as part of their own learning. We have also incorporated sensors throughout the ground heating systems to support further academic research and teaching opportunities.