Fridge freezer upgrades completed

By naomiwadsworthSep 13, 20210 Comments
We are pleased to publish details of a further two Salix grant-funded projects which we have now completed the energy saving measurements for. Over several weeks during spring 2021, a large number of lab refrigeration units at Whiteknights campus were replaced. These included refrigeration units, non-ultra-low temperature freezers (-20°C) and ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers (-80°C). Each project has produced good energy savings, with a combined total annual saving of £ 5,450 per year and 8.3 tonnes CO2 per year. Why were the refrigeration units upgraded? Most of the refrigeration units were aging and inefficient, using excess electricity and resulting in…
Energy and Water, , , , ,
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New LED Lamps shine a light on SAPD’s research

By naomiwadsworthJul 27, 20210 Comments
While exploring Whiteknights campus, you may have spotted several large glasshouses which are part of large complex called the Crop and Environment Laboratory (CEL). CEL is one of many research facilities offered by the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD) where research is focused on food security and resilience to climate change. Last year, Sustainability Services approached SAPD regarding the opportunity to fund the upgrade of the growth lamps in some of the CEL glasshouses to deliver significant energy savings.  Following technical assessments by Professors Paul Hadley and Donal O’Sullivan in Crop Sciences, the project was approved for funding…
Energy and Water
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First Salix grant-funded project complete!

By naomiwadsworthJun 09, 20210 Comments
We are pleased to announce that we have now completed the energy saving measurements from our first Salix grant-funded project - upgrading the existing lab drying ovens in operation across our Whiteknights campus. Drying ovens are typically used to dry a variety of equipment including glassware (test tubes, etc.) and instruments but they can also be used for general purpose warming. The upgrades have produced better energy savings than predicted, and we can expect this project to have a payback period of 5 years. Why were the lab drying ovens upgraded? Most of the previous drying ovens in operation were…
Energy and Water,
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University carbon reduction projects underway

By naomiwadsworthApr 30, 20210 Comments
In November, the University was awarded over £3.4 million in funding to deliver a range of carbon reduction projects across its UK campuses.  The funding comes from 3 different grant awards from Salix Finance, financed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS): £3.3 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme £120,000 from the Low Carbon Skills Fund to cover additional resource to support delivery the main grant funded projects £45,000 from the Low Carbon Skills Fund to cover low carbon heating feasibility studies for 6 buildings These projects are anticipated to reduce our annual carbon emissions by…
Energy and Water
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Earth Day 2021

By naomiwadsworthApr 22, 20210 Comments
The publication of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” in 1962 marked a watershed moment in our planet’s history, raising public awareness and concern for our environment, our wildlife and the links between pollution and human health. The emerging shift in public consciousness and societal values was provided a voice during the first Earth Day in 1970. Since its inception, Earth Day has marked important environmental events, including the signing of the 2015 Paris Agreement. This year the theme for Earth Day is ‘Restore our Earth’ bringing focus to climate change mitigation and actions we can take to restore our planet’s ecosystems.…
Behaviour Change, Policy
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2020 Travel Survey Results

By naomiwadsworthJul 14, 20200 Comments
The Sustainability Services team would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in this years’ travel survey. The survey was completed in January 2020, before the COVID-19 outbreak took hold in the UK.  The responses have provided some great feedback, which will help to shape the proposed travel action plans for the years ahead. A brief summary of the key findings is provided in this blog. You can find the full results of the travel survey here. How do staff and students travel to University? The overall (combined staff and student) modal split for commutes to the…
Travel and Transport
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Embedding sustainability within your department

By naomiwadsworthFeb 28, 20200 Comments
Here at Sustainability Services, we’re always keen to work with Schools and Functions to embed sustainability across the University. We were delighted to receive an email from a colleague in Computer Science who updated us on the great work their department has been undertaking. During the past three years, Computer Science has refurbished the majority of the academic rooms, labs and student common rooms with reclaimed furniture advertised on our Warp-it platform. Warp-it is an online portal for members of staff to offer items they no longer need for other Schools and Functions to claim and reuse. You can sign…
Behaviour Change, Waste and Recycling
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