University of Birmingham cuts carbon emissions with Dalkia

10 October 2014

Dalkia has delivered its latest CHP system to the University of Birmingham. The university, which serves 28,000 students, is equipped with a 375kWe CHP to supply the main campus accommodation with electricity and heating.

The university, which endeavours to make a significant contribution to sustainable development, is part of the Higher Education Carbon Management Programme, a voluntary scheme overseen by the Carbon Trust, which aims to achieve CO2 reduction targets by 2020.

Cogenco, Dalkia’s specialist packaged CHP team, which worked closely with the University to lower its emissions, has contributed to the green scheme with the supply of its onsite co-generation technology. Dalkia’s efficient CHP system is estimated to save the university 550 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum, helping the university to meet its CO2 reduction targets.

The CHP plant, which utilises the heat produced in electricity generation to provide hot water, will allow the university to produce its own energy in an efficient and sustainable way. Whilst installing the cost-effective system, the University has taken further measures to meet the CO2 targets with a number of projects, from enhancing the fabric of buildings to improve thermal performance and ensuring the efficient operation of equipment, to implementing a behavioural change campaign that encourages building users to help conserve energy and reduce energy consumption.

While installing the CHP system, Cogenco faced the initial challenge of space constraint, which was quickly resolved. The team required a crane, which lowered the engine at a 45-degree angle into the plant room, ensuring the system was installed safely and correctly.