Why Campus Decarbonisation is Urgently Needed

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

As we continue our journey towards a sustainable future, it’s crucial to recognise the significant role that educational institutions play in combating climate change. Did you know that universities account for a staggering 27% of public sector emissions? One institution that is making remarkable strides in addressing this challenge is the University of Warwick. Through its innovative Reduce, Decarbonise, Smart strategy, the university is leading the charge in reducing its carbon footprint and setting an example for others to follow.

The University of Warwick has been proactive in enhancing the energy efficiency of its buildings since the early 2000s, going beyond existing building regulations. In 2019, the university committed to achieving Net Zero for its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. In this article, we delve into the university’s experiences in implementing its Net Zero strategy and highlight the most cost-effective measures identified along the way.

The Net Zero Strategy

In 2019, the university’s buildings were responsible for a staggering 95% of its scope 1 and 2 emissions. A multi-faceted strategy, aptly named Reduce, Decarbonise, Smart, was adopted to tackle this pressing issue. The approach prioritises incremental, low-regret investments, focusing on implementing the most impactful measures first. Let’s explore the different pillars of this strategy in more detail.

Reduce

**New Build Standards:** Since 2005, the University of Warwick has been constructing new buildings to a level of energy efficiency that exceeds standard building regulations. The financial sweet spot has been to aim for near-Passivhaus standards, leading to an impressive 45% reduction in energy consumption per square metre across the campus from 2005 to 2023, all with minimal additional capital expenditure.

**Retrofit Standards:** Much of the university’s existing building stock dates from the 1970s to 2010 and requires retrofitting to meet Net Zero targets. Fabric upgrades are now routinely incorporated into regular maintenance cycles to minimise costs. Buildings that cannot be retrofitted to meet these standards have been earmarked for demolition, signalling a commitment to sustainable development.

**Net Zero Operating Procedures:** The university has established clear Net Zero compliant schedules and set points for each building, ensuring these parameters are not altered. The initial cost of implementing these measures was recouped within a matter of weeks, demonstrating the financial viability of such strategies.

**Lower Flow Temperatures:** By adopting lower flow temperatures, the university aims to enhance the efficiency of both the district heating network and the heating circuits within its buildings. However, some buildings, particularly student halls, face challenges in meeting the required temperatures, necessitating upgrades to heat exchangers. These constraints have created delays in immediate implementation.

Decarbonise

**Solar PV:** The university has recognised that generating electricity through solar photovoltaics (PV) is more cost-effective than purchasing from the grid. However, while producing above the baseline and potentially selling excess electricity back to the grid could seem advantageous, the business case for this practice can be less appealing.

**Heat Pump Solutions:** Meeting the university’s peak heat demand remains a complex and costly challenge. Early project initiation and the collection of detailed data on heat consumption and demand profiles will be crucial for success.

**Electrical Storage:** Currently, without the introduction of ‘Time-of-Use Tariffs’ for businesses, there is no compelling commercial rationale for installing electrical storage systems.

**Thermal Storage:** The university has effectively employed thermal storage for several years to manage peak heat demand. Research from colleagues at Loughborough University has demonstrated that this approach is a cost-effective way to minimise expenses associated with new heating solutions. As the university moves towards electrification of heating, thermal storage will help shift demand away from peak periods when grid electricity is more expensive.

Smart

**Energy Management Systems:** To optimise energy usage, the university is transitioning to a system where each building operates under its own Building Energy Management System (BEMS), using non-proprietary software. These systems will be interconnected through a Campus Energy Management System (CEMS), enabling collaboration among 117 buildings to minimise peak demand. This collective approach will significantly reduce capital expenditure on heating systems and the electricity grid.

**Monitoring and Control:** Research indicates that some buildings are operating at temperatures 1-2°C higher than reported by their BEMS. This discrepancy arises from a lack of representative sampling by the thermostats in use. By increasing the number of thermostats, the university could potentially reduce each building’s energy bill by 15%.

**On-Demand Heating:** For less frequently used small rooms, on-demand heating systems can yield substantial savings. For example, electric radiators with push-button activation were installed in several seminar rooms. Initially set to maintain a temperature of 21°C, these radiators were adjusted to 16°C, activating the boost function only when necessary. This change resulted in a remarkable 75% reduction in energy consumption for these spaces, while also halving peak energy use.

**Recoverable Heat:** Research from colleagues at London South Bank University indicated that recovering waste heat near a heat network can be a highly cost-effective solution, rather than incurring the expense of heating rooms while simultaneously cooling equipment. Sources of recoverable heat include electrical transformers, industrial equipment, and server rooms, proving to be inexpensive heat sources.

By prioritising incremental, low-regret investments, the University of Warwick has successfully reduced both total and peak energy demand, leading to significant reductions in energy expenditure and capital costs for new infrastructure.

Future Prospects

As the university looks ahead, its ability to shift energy loads to times when grid electricity is cheaper and less carbon-intensive will unlock further savings. Some technologies, notably solar PV, are already more cost-effective than traditional solutions and should be embraced wherever feasible. The pursuit of Net Zero not only promises a greener future but also enhances the comfort and enjoyment of the university’s buildings.

For those interested in learning more about decarbonising universities and other public sector buildings, we encourage you to explore the Public Sector Decarbonisation Guidance.

This article first appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Stay tuned for more insights and updates on sustainable practices in the educational sector!