The University and the local environment
The University of Surrey has placed sustainability at the heart of its corporate social responsibility agenda for over a decade and it has been a major consideration on all new builds and refurbishment projects across campus.
Our work goes beyond making simple reductions in cost. We strive to not only minimise any negative impacts of our campus but actively seek new ways to make positive changes for our region and world.
We'd like to share with you just a few of the ways in which we do this.
Our new development Surrey Sports Park, has been designed and constructed to reach a ‘very good’ BREEAM standard. BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method, is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. Energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures include efficient gas fired condensing boilers, combined with a Biomass boiler for baseload heating which is carbon neutral, the wood fuel is sourced sustainably from local woodland management.
On the main campus, our ten-year-old combined heat and power (CHP) plant was removed for engine and generator refurbishment in October 2008 and has reduced the University’s total CO2 emissions by an average of 1,450 tonnes a year. It cost £537,000 in 1999, paid in part by a £100,000 Government grant. Since then, we have saved around £135,000 a year on energy bills (£185,000 at today’s costs).
Other smaller scale, but nonetheless important, energy saving measures include a project to replace luminaires and lamps around campus.
In the Austin Pearce lecture theatres 159 PAR halogen fittings were replaced with LED down lights, with estimated savings of 70% in energy. The high output of LEDs also removes the need for fluorescent light, reducing electrical demand by a further 6.5 kW – increasing actual savings to 90%.
In the Hillside Atrium, 18 halogen spotlights were replaced by LED spotlights that use 93% less energy, and timer controls have reduced energy consumption further. This small project alone saves the University around £1,500 a year in electricity. The LED luminaires also last an average of 13 years, reducing the need for maintenance.
Researching the solutions for the future
Many and varied research groups continue to develop across the University to investigate areas such as climate change; environmental and public health; sustainable consumption, production and infrastructure; natural resources, and water. Our research, teaching, consultancy, partnerships with industry and knowledge transfer agreements combine to provide the technology and intelligence to change the way we all behave; from big businesses to individuals in their homes. In this way the impact of how we think and what we do can be felt within and well beyond the borders of our county and region.