Biomass for heating is to be used to meet the University of York’s commitment to provide at least 10 per cent of its new campus expansion’s energy needs through renewable sources.
It is part of an ambitious plan to develop renewable energy to power both the University of York’s GBP500 million Heslington East development and its existing Heslington West campus.
The University is developing a major ‘one campus’ energy strategy to meet its future needs starting with a GBP3 million utilities corridor between the 116-hectare extension at Heslington East and Heslington West.
It is the first step in adopting a comprehensive approach to energy provision. The University hopes this will eventually involve the use of biomass boilers as an integral element of the district heating system across the entire campus.
The strategy involves plans to locate a biomass boiler on Heslington East to generate hot water, using woodchip from local sustainable sources, to supplement water provided by the University’s central energy centre. The boiler would meet 10 per cent of renewable energy requirements for all buildings in phase one of the expansion.
Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Estates and Strategic Projects, said: "Renewable energy is an important part of our strategy but efficient use of energy in the University as a whole is critically important. All buildings on Heslington East will meet rigorous design standards, delivering high energy efficiency and low energy use."
The University’s Director of Facilities Management, Keith Lilley, said: "We are adopting renewable energy from biomass heating which offers the greatest opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. Alternative technologies such as solar energy and ground source heat pumps have been investigated but they offer far less in the way of carbon reduction for the investment being made.
"As technology develops, the University hopes to adopt biomass combined heat and power boiler plant which has both efficient and low/zero carbon technology."
