Archive for year: 2024

Last updated on 6 September 2024

New electrically powered heat pumps at the Brownlee Centre are being switched on as the University ramps up activity to support its net zero goals.

The new pumps replace the previous wood pellet and oil boilers and are the final step towards electrifying the Brownlee Centre and the rest of the Bodington complex.

The installation of the pumps means that the centre, along with the rest of the Bodington complex, are now fully electrified.

Work on the site has been ongoing throughout 2024, as part of collaborative net zero work between Sustainability and Estates.

The move from the previous primary heat sources to an all-electric heat pump solution will save the University around 58,850Kg and 2,610Kg of direct and indirect CO2 per year, respectively.

The project is part of the university’s Net Zero Delivery Plan, which sets out how we will deliver reductions of more than 35,000 tonnes of CO2e per year by 2030.

The bulk of emissions reductions will be driven through changes to the way we heat and power our buildings.

This requires changes to our building infrastructure to reduce the amount of energy that we use and ensure that the energy we do use is from renewable sources.

The Estates team’s engineering section have worked with specialists VWG Group to complete the project since February this year.

A successful funding application by the team to the Government’s Salix fund was also key in delivering the project.

Salix is a government-owned organisation that delivers funding schemes to help the public sector reduce their carbon emissions in line with the UK’s 2050 net zero target.

David Oldroyd, Interim Deputy Director of Development said: “This major work is an important step towards us significantly reducing annual emissions from our estate.

“Several more projects are already underway, with more planned, that will enable us to reach the targets outlined in the Net Zero Delivery Plan.

“Thanks to our contractors, VWG Group, who worked efficiently and quickly to get this work completed before the start of the new academic year.”

Staff and students can find out more about our Net Zero Delivery Plan, and what they can do to support the Climate Plan, at the Climate Plan Sharepoint Hub (University login required).

 

Last updated on 9 July 2024

Staff, students, and visitors to campus may notice some new additions alongside the University’s blue plaques – with one key difference.

The first group of new green plaques, which recognise the influential role students have played in developing important campus projects, have been installed at four University locations.

Student-led projects being celebrated include the accessible lift in the Parkinson building, the Postgraduate Research Lounge, the Women in STEM Conference and a common lounge for commuter students.

Improving campus for everyone

Similar in style to the well-established blue plaque initiative, each details the role individual students have made towards getting a project off the ground, whether through activism, campaigning or by working with Leeds University Union.

The scheme has been developed by the Estates team and Leeds University Union to recognise the contributions students are making to the future development of campus.

Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation & Development said:

“Our campus is only relevant because of all the amazing things our students and staff undertake here at Leeds. Celebrating the successes through the Green Plaques is so exciting as it makes both people and place relevant.

“As we reshape the campus through Campus Reimagined we want to keep learning from all our University communities to make sure we are achieving our aim of creating amazing spaces on campus that are sustainable, inclusive, and innovative.”

Where can I find the plaques?

The first plaque is located at the entrance of the new Postgraduate Research Lounge on the second floor of the Refectory.

It marks the work carried out by Polly Galis, Abiha Khan, Vicky Zhuo and Rimsha to lobby for a dedicated space for postgraduate researchers.

The second plaque is located in EC Stoner.

It recognises Susan Preston’s work in campaigning for more inclusion for commuter students, include the creation of a specialised common lounge.

Another plaque has been installed outside of the Mechanical Engineering Building.

It details Farida Al Wakeel’s work to create the Women in STEM Conference.

The final plaque is located outside of the Parkinson Building,.

It celebrates Gem Turner’s successful campaign to install an accessible lift outside of the building.

Read more about the green plaque initiative.