{"id":1250,"date":"2025-06-06T09:24:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T08:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/sustainability\/?p=1250"},"modified":"2025-06-06T09:24:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T08:24:38","slug":"how-newcastle-universitys-chp-plant-is-driving-campus-decarbonisation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/sustainability\/2025\/06\/06\/how-newcastle-universitys-chp-plant-is-driving-campus-decarbonisation\/","title":{"rendered":"How Newcastle University\u2019s CHP Plant is Driving Campus Decarbonisation\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In January 2024, a new Combined Heat and Power unit (CHP) was installed in the Merz Court Energy Centre, a powerful and efficient plant room tucked away in the building\u2019s basement. Recognising its impressive potential, the University saw an opportunity to divert excess energy to the Stephenson Building. Since then, the CHP has become an integral component in our Net Zero strategy\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image: Entrance of the Merz Court building, home to electrical and electronic engineering (and the CHP unit of course!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHP and the Stephenson Redevelopment<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure sustainability was considered at every step of the Stephenson renovation, a Low and Zero Carbon Assessment (LZC) was carried out in the early planning stages. The assessment looked at a variety of scenarios, comparing a business-as-usual approach to an alternative scenario using renewable energy generation. Eventually, it was decided that, in line with our Climate Action Plan, Stephenson would primarily receive its heating from the CHP district network.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHP and Environmental Impact<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its simplest terms, the CHP plant is a large engine that burns biofuel. The engine is connected to a generator which makes electricity to enter the University electricity distribution network. The heat created by this process is recovered and fed into the district heating network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the CHP plant is more environmentally friendly than traditional systems in a few ways: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Natural gas power stations which supply the national grid generally do not recover heat, whereas the CHP plant preserves and recirculates produced heat <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. The biofuel is a certified renewable fuel resulting in significant reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions. The CHP generates and distributes electricity and heat to nearby buildings – reducing the transmission losses associated with a traditional \u2018grid supplied\u2019 distribution model.  <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      Image: The CHP unit located in the Merz Court Energy Centre. Inside the container is essentially a large engine, running off biofuel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The District Heating Network<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Currently, the CHP is fully installed and undergoing final testing and commissioning. An array of underground pipes has connected the plant to the following buildings: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Old Library Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • Percy Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          • Henry Daysh Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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            • Stephenson Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              • Cassie Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                In recent months, the network has also been connected to the King\u2019s Road Boiler House, extending the CHP heating network to five more buildings: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                • Armstrong Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                  • Bedson Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                    • Boiler House Event Space <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                      • Hadrian Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                        • King George VI Building <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          The CHP will become the lead heat source for these buildings, with natural gas boilers being used to \u2018top-up\u2019 the heat supplied by the CHP.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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