Energy
We are committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon for scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2040, and for all other carbon emissions by 2050.
We recognise the need to act quickly to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim to keep global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Approximately 99% of our scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions are related to the energy used to heat and power our buildings. The remainder is made up of carbon emissions related to fleet vehicles and refrigerant gases.
Our intentions are to take action to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings by upgrading our lighting to LED, improving our Building Management System, and installing renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and air source heat pumps. We are also commissioning expertise to inform our approach to decarbonising our fossil fuel heating across the University.
Our aims are:
- Meet the University ESD carbon management targets
- Avoid unnecessary expenditure on utilities
- Improve cost-effectiveness, productivity and working conditions
- Protect the environment
- Prolong the life of useful fossil fuels
- Investigate and promote the use of renewable fuels.
Heat and lights
A completely new building management system was installed in Wearside View to allow heating, ventilation and cooling to be controlled centrally and reduce energy waste.
Refurbishment and reconfiguration works at level one of the David Goldman Technology Centre incorporated high efficiency LED lighting and improved controls to reduce energy use.
Building management systems
A project to modernise and improve the performance of the building management system in the majority of buildings across the estate is almost complete and building management system specialists have been engaged to repair, replace, and improve the controls systems where required to improve efficiency and reduce energy waste.
Carbon reductions
During 2022/23 the University installed 435 kWp of solar PV across the campus, which will generate over 380,000 kWh of electricity each year, equivalent to the annual electricity use of 130 UK homes, saving around 77 tonnes of CO2 each year. We have also ensured almost all of our fleet vehicles are now electric.
Work has also continued to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, including LED lighting upgrades and improvements to the building management systems. We have also rolled out water metering and targeting meters, to help to reduce water consumption.
Find out more information by reading the Environmental Sustainability Annual Report 2023/24 (.pdf).
Solar panels
Solar Panels are an important renewable energy technology which help us to cut down on carbon emissions and produce free, zero-carbon power.
As of December 2024, we have nine solar arrays generating capable of generating 870,744 kWh per year, which is equivalent to the electricity use of more than 320 UK homes. We also have plans for more solar arrays to be installed over the coming years.
SolarEdge generation data
David Goldman
- 420 kWp
- Installed 2024
- Read the SolarEdge generation data for David Goldman
Murray Health
- 99 kWp
- Installed 2023
- Read the SolarEdge generation data for Murray Health
Edinburgh
- 44 kWp
- Installed 2023
- Read the SolarEdge generation data for Edinburgh
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City Space (array 2)
- 75 kWp
- Installed 2022/23
- Read the SolarEdge generation data for City Space (array 2)
Gateway
- 91 kWp
- Installed 2022
- Read the SolarEdge generation data for Gateway
Additional arrays
- Hope Street Exchange: 16 kWp
- City Space (array 1): 102 kWp
- Prospect Building: 126 kWp
- Anatomy Building: 21 kWp
With further arrays planned.
Sustainability Annual Report
Read our Environmental Sustainability Annual Report 2023/24 (.pdf) and find out more about the targets and actions we're committed to taking in the year ahead.