A ‘TRULY transformative moment’ – Coventry University has taken a big step towards its carbon net zero ambitions.
The university campus is now connected to the city’s low-carbon district energy network, resulting in lower emissions and improved energy efficiency.
The upgraded network is key to the university’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030, and also creates future opportunities for parts of Hillfields to access low-carbon heat.
Supported by almost £13million from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the project – delivered with Bring Energy – is expected to cut carbon emissions by more than 1,300 tonnes a year, more than a fifth of the university’s annual emissions from fossil-fuel heating.
Dr Clive Winters, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Governance), said: “The long-term benefits – for our city centre, net zero ambitions and future generations – make this a truly transformative moment for Coventry.”
The district energy network supplies heat from Coventry’s Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility in London Road through a 6.6km underground system.
By switching from gas boilers to the low-carbon network, 11 university buildings – including the Sir Frank Whittle building, the Student Centre, The Hub, Alma, Elm Bank, Cycle Works, Charles Ward, George Eliot and the three Priory Hall blocks – now receive a more resilient, efficient and sustainable heat supply that produces around one fifth of the carbon emissions of natural gas.
The first phase of the university’s connection to the district energy network is now complete, with the system designed to support further expansion if required.
As part of the upgrade, pipework has also been installed through Hillfields, creating future opportunities for community buildings and homes to join the network – which could help stabilise heating costs, cut emissions from local services and support efforts to reduce fuel poverty in one of Coventry’s most deprived areas.
Dr Winters added: “Completing this connection to Coventry’s district energy network is a significant milestone in our journey to become net zero by 2030.
“By moving away from gas and onto low-carbon district heat, we are immediately reducing our carbon emissions and strengthening the long-term resilience of our campus.
“This investment benefits our staff and students, who repeatedly tell us sustainability matters to them, and opens the door to future community benefit in the Hillfields area of our city.”
