University of Northampton and Vital Energi to deliver sustainable energy for new UK campus
The University of Northampton’s new Waterside Campus in the UK will use sustainable technology for heat while dramatically reducing its CO2 output.
The University has employed sustainable energy expert Vital Energi to deliver the energy solutions for the new campus, opening in 2018.
The contract will see Vital Energi deliver an energy centre which will use woodchip biomass and gas to heat hot water for all the buildings and student residencies on the 58 acre site.
“By specifying a biomass district heating system for the new Waterside Campus, the University of Northampton is setting a great example for the higher education sector by demonstrating how renewable energy solutions can be implemented, reducing carbon emissions and integrating thermal storage to maximise the renewable heat incentive,” Vital Energi regional director Mike Cooke commented.
The biomass system will save over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 in the short term, rising to 2,200 tonnes a year following the introduction of a combined heat and power (CHP) engine, which will mean the equivalent of taking 431 cars off the road per annum.
The energy strategy has been designed to evolve alongside the development of the campus and the energy centre has been “future-proofed” to allow for the installation of the CHP engine, which will produce additional heat and electricity as demand increases.
