Green Gown Awards 2016 – Carbon Reduction – University of Cambridge– Finalist

Major energy and carbon reduction works at Grade II Listed 1934 -2010 Built Environment – Cambridge University Library

This project has successfully demonstrated how energy and carbon reduction can be achieved in a listed historical building by focusing on improving building services and operation controls.

Since 2014, major energy and carbon reduction projects (£1.45m) have been carried out at Cambridge University Library. These include Building Management System control strategy improvement; installation of a centralised chilled water network with three highly efficient chillers to replace seven chillers used to serve respective air handling units; and the use electrical desiccant dehumidification to minimise the requirement for chilled water dehumidification and subsequent reheat.

The actual energy saving (electricity saving of 705,000kWh and gas saving of 1,650,000kWh) and a 25% annual carbon reduction (630tonnes) greatly exceeded early estimates.

Further BMS work on widening the environment condition range in the book stacks and the heating system upgrade (£1.73m) will bring an additional annual carbon reduction of 200tonnes upon completion in 2017.

Top 3 learnings

1 Energy and carbon reduction in listed buildings is challenging but also very rewarding

2 A strong financial business case for energy and carbon reduction can greatly assist and expedite major capital investment for building services upgrade

3 Success requires a long term commitment to energy and carbon reduction by senior management.

CO2t Savings: 630 CO2t per annum
Actual/Estimated: Actual
No. of yrs: 1

Videos

• Major energy and carbon reduction works at Grade II Listed 1934 -2010 Built Environment – Cambridge University Library (click to hide)