Heat pumps to eliminate gas at Lancaster Uni
11th March 2025
UK: Lancaster University has broken ground on its new Net Zero Energy Centre which will virtually eliminate the use of gas through the use of heat pumps.
The Net Zero Energy Centre will house air- and water-source heat pumps totalling 7MW with a 1MW e-boiler, generating a projected 39GWh of low carbon heat, enough to heat 95% of campus buildings.
The centre will also include 1,500m3 of thermal stores which will supplement the new heat supply and help ensure consistent heat during peak times of the day.
A visitor facility, incorporated into the design of the new energy centre, will feature an educational meeting room for visitors with an interest in sustainable energy, specifically heat pump technology.
To carry the heat across campus, 6.5km of district heating pipework is also being installed to increase the network’s coverage from approximately 65% of buildings to 95%. This will connect 247 buildings and properties to the district heat network to receive low-carbon heat and water. The project is expected to be complete in early 2027.
“As Lancaster University continues to build on the success of its historic sustainability projects, the new Net Zero Energy Centre, expanded heat network, and solar PV farm are all crucial steps in fulfilling the University’s commitment to reducing energy related carbon emissions from electricity and heating to net zero by 2030 and aim to be net zero from all other emissions by 2035,” commented Lancaster University’s vice chancellor professor Andy Schofield.
“The ongoing projects, delivered by energy partners Vital Energi, exemplify Lancaster’s forward-thinking approach, ensuring that future generations can benefit from a cleaner, greener campus while continuing to support groundbreaking research in renewable energy.”
Lancaster University has been awarded more than £21m of funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), which is being matched by the University to develop the Net Zero Energy Centre.
According to Scott Lutton, regional director, at Vital Energi, the new energy centre will save 2,700 tonnes of carbon annually, making a significant contribution to Lancaster University’s journey towards carbon neutrality.
“As part of this project, we have worked closely with Lancaster University and AECOM to engage and raise awareness of the benefits of the energy centre with the Lancaster University community, through career events, outreach, and skills development initiatives,” he said.
