UK – Siemens will deliver improvement measures to reduce overall energy use, and engineer solutions to drive the shift to renewable and on-site low-carbon energy generation at UEL’s campuses in the London Docklands and Stratford.
The net-zero carbon roadmap identified four focus areas for UEL’s campuses: introducing renewable energy sources and reducing overall energy consumption; supporting sustainable enterprise; leveraging real-time energy data through the creation of a Living Lab and nurturing a strong talent pipeline.
The first phase will cut 10% of UEL’s carbon emissions and reduce operational costs by installing LED lighting in all buildings and upgrading the Building Management Systems (BMS). A second workstream will focus on engineering the design of sustainable energy technology, including solar panels on rooftops and in car parks, ground source or water source heat pumps fed by the River Thames, and electric vehicle charging solutions.
“We are committed to becoming a national and global decarbonisation leader by considering the economic, social and environmental impact of everything we do,” said Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice Chancellor and President, University of East London. “With our university-student-industry triple helix partnership approach, we are confident that we can achieve net zero in our publicly engaged and vibrant learning environment where everyone can succeed.”
In the second phase, Siemens will support UEL in the creation of an innovation hub for local green energy enterprises, giving students the opportunity to engage with the latest green technologies on-campus. Students will also be able to further strengthen their skills through mentoring and internships with Siemens. UEL and Siemens will work together to embed sustainability across the curriculum, allowing students to develop the skills they need to succeed in a green economy. The partnership is also exploring the creation of a Living Lab, to make campus data available to students and researchers for teaching and research.
“Beyond decarbonization, this partnership also demonstrates the additional positive impact of a technology-focused net-zero journey, including improvements in learning and teaching, a better experience on campus for both students and staff, and the potential to create positive social impact in the surrounding community,” said Constantin Ginet, Global Head of Energy & Performance Services, Siemens Smart Infrastructure.
To support the energy transition in the wider East London area, UEL and Siemens will also explore ways to introduce local-scale energy projects which make an immediate difference to local communities, Siemens said in a press release.
Source: Siemens