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Staff and students across the University have carried out projects and behind-the-scenes work to support our Green Campus aims.
On this page you can find out more about some of the work that has gone into improving our low-carbon credentials and further improve our environmental and social impact.
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1995 – 2000: CHP and District Heating (1999)
Through our combined heat and power (CHP) engines, UEA regularly generates over 60% of its own, low carbon, electricity. This reduces our carbon footprint by around 20%, or 5000tCO2e (compared to traditional boilers and grid electricity).
Four CHP engines installed (4700kW in total)
Provide electricity and heating, via existing district heating scheme
Use natural gas to generate electricity; waste heat captured and used to heat buildings. Overall efficiency is around 80%
Regularly reduces energy costs by over £1 million per year.
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Enterprise Centre (June 2015)
Targeted the challenging and internationally-recognised Passivhaus standard, the world’s leading ‘fabric first’ approach to low energy buildings
Expected to achieve a 'BREEAM Outstanding' rating, the world’s leading design and assessment method for sustainable buildings
An exemplar of sustainable procurement, and low embodied energy and carbon construction technologies, through natural and bio-renewable materials sourced through local supply chains.
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Boiler Replacement (Spring 2015)
Replacing the 50-year-old boilers used to back up the CHP engines and provide extra mid-winter heat will save money on an ongoing basis, as well as reduce wasted energy through increased efficiency.
Three new, 6MW natural gas Bosch boilers installed
Boiler efficiency improved from 75% to over 90%, saving over £50,000 per year
Saves over 300tCO2e per year.
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Crome Court (2014)
Cross-laminated timber superstructure completely replaces concrete in the frame
Around 21kW of PV; external green wall; greywater recycling system; energy display screens per flat, helping residents understand their energy use and flat performance
‘BREEAM Excellent’, a top rank in the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings
First building on campus to fully embrace Building Information Modelling, or BIM: one of the first projects in the UK to achieve a fully-integrated, '6D' BIM Level 2 (ahead of government schedule).
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Julian Study Centre (2013)
The Julian Study Centre began our exploration of the potential of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for academic and residential buildings, allowing quick construction and a lower carbon footprint.
TermoDeck heating and cooling system, with hollow concrete floors, still used
CLT structure reduced the amount of concrete used (saving ‘embodied carbon’) and speeding up construction
Achieved an air tightness far exceeding current building regulations, meaning that it loses heat much more slowly in the winter
LED lighting; 22kW of PV roof-mounted PV; received the highest-rated Energy Performance Certificate (A, out of G)
A building that used less energy in construction, but is also more efficient during use
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Thomas Paine Study Centre (2009)
360-seat lecture theatre, seminar rooms and offices
TermoDeck heating/cooling system, with similar performance to Elizabeth Fry and ZICER
Learnt from other buildings: installed displacement ventilation and more zone controls to improve occupant comfort.
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District Cooling System (2006)
Bringing the double benefit: reducing electrical demand by creating value from waste output from low carbon technology.
Project uses waste heat from the CHP engines, not electrical energy, to generate the power to create cold water. An absorption chiller unit replaced electrically-driven compression refrigeration, saving even more energy.
Existing district pipe network provides cooling to laboratory equipment and areas prone to overheating
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2000 – 2005: ZICER Building and Integrated PV (2002)
The ZICER (The Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research) Building was our first building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system. The 34kW system demonstrates the potential of building integrated PV.
Won the ‘Low Energy Building of the Year' award in the Building Magazine's sustainability competition, 2005
Second low energy building using the TermoDeck system
Thermal performance improved over the Elizabeth Fry Building
Over 240,000kWh of zero-carbon electricity generated since opening (the amount required to power the average house for 72 years).
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1990 – 1995: The Elizabeth Fry Building (1995)
After 20 years, the Elizabeth Fry Building still exceeds current building regulations for thermal performance and is one our most energy efficient buildings on campus.
“Best building ever”, Building Services Journal (1998)
High thermal mass, highly insulated triple glazing
Low energy structural ceiling slab system, TermoDeck, provides very consistent conditions throughout the year.
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Communicating Lab Best Practice
Laboratory Sustainability: Communicating Best Practice and Innovation
This project extends the reach of the Chemistry and Pharmacy teaching laboratory’s work on sustainability; educating, engaging and showcasing continuous improvements and innovations.
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Eco Bus Stops
In a bid to encourage more staff and students to take the bus, UEA has been investing in improvements to bus infrastructure. Bus Stop A on University Drive was the first to be redeveloped.
This new eco-friendly bus stop features 100% recycled flooring from glass bottles and tyres, timber sourced from FSC-certified forests, and natural materials such as an ivy screening wall and sedum green roof. All lights are ultra-low energy LED bulbs to further reduce the environmental impact of the bus stop.
To make bus journeys easier, a 65” real time display has been installed to give accurate live arrival times. This screen uses the same amount of energy as a small LED TV.
The bus stop has been in use since the beginning of the 2016/7 academic year, and was officially launched in November. Representatives from Sustainable UEA and First Bus attended, including UEA’s Transport Coordinator, the designer, and the project manager.
UEA are looking to upgrade other facilities on campus with similar designs.
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UniGreenScheme: Lab Resource Efficiency (2016)
How UniGreenScheme is helping UEA avoid the unnecessary disposal of unwanted equipment
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2016 Dairy Contract
The UEA Catering Team purchases 66,570 litres of milk per annum, making UEA a significant local consumer. In 2016 Catering worked with the Procurement Team to put a formal milk supply contract in place, awarded to Marybelle Pur Natur Ltd, a firm operating out of Halesworth in Suffolk.
As part of the contractual arrangements, we looked at where our milk was coming from and whether the farmers were getting a fair price to ensure that we covered both ethics and carbon emissions from transportation.
The University's Catering Team can now identify exactly which farms their milk is coming from, and that the farmer is satisfied with the price we pay. This contract also lowered our costs, meeting the pillar of economic sustainability.
There are concerns globally about growing antibiotic resistance, and it is believed that antibiotic use in animals is exacerbating this issue. Whilst UEA has not been able to prohibit the use of antibiotics in cows we have sought reassurance from Marybelle about their use. Marybelle ensure that if a cow is treated with antibiotics then they are withdrawn for a minimum of 3 days. Every load of milk received by Marybelle is also tested for traces of antibiotics, and if any are found then the load is rejected.
Animal welfare is a high priority for Marybelle, their farmers are audited to the National Dairy Farms Assured Scheme (or the Red Tractor scheme).