University unveils £11m decarbonisation project

A university has launched an £11m project to help it cut carbon emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes per year.

The scheme, at the University of Wolverhampton, will see heat pumps, solar panels and a heat network installed at its Walsall campus.

Bosses said gas-fired equipment and boilers reaching the end of their working life would be replaced with a system that recovers heat from the air to provide low carbon heating and hot water.

Chilled water will be recovered from air-source heat pumps, eliminating the need to run the chillers during summer months, they added.

"We are thrilled to be making great progress towards our sustainability goals and reducing our carbon footprint," said Dr Pete Cross, the university's chief financial officer.

It is one a number of initiatives the university is committed to, he said.

A "living lab" will also be set up, allowing academics to study the impact of the energy conservation measures.

It will offer research opportunities for students as well as providing evidence-based recommendations for staff.

Phil Mottershead, project development director at Vital Energi, which is working with the university on the scheme, said it would provide a significant step towards full heat decarbonisation at the Walsall campus.

The inclusion of solar panels and energy conservation measures meant there would also be cost savings for the university, he added.

It is expected installation of the new technology will be completed by March 2026.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.