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Frenchay Campus is a large, mixed-use residential and academic campus in Bristol, comprising academic buildings, offices, a sports centre, residential blocks, greenhouses, and a data centre. We have worked with the university across three distinct phases of heat network decarbonisation, supporting their goal to fully decarbonise their heat supply by 2030. The network has grown from an initial energy centre to a campus-wide system planned for transition to low carbon heat source by 2030.
Appointed to develop a decarbonisation strategy, we have guided UWE through successive phases of feasibility, strategy, design, and delivery. The campus now has a fully expanded site-wide heat network, with a clear, costed roadmap to full decarbonisation in line with UWE's net zero target of 2030.
Scope
We were appointed to undertake a detailed techno-economic feasibility study for the existing Frenchay Campus heat network, identifying a 1 MW gas CHP with 70,000 litres of thermal storage as the optimum short-term solution to fund network expansion while preserving compatibility with future low-carbon technologies. We undertook full RIBA Stage 3 detailed design, produced a procurement pack, and managed structural engineering input for the energy centre extension, with the CHP installation and initial network expansion. We were reappointed to develop a long-term heat decarbonisation strategy for the campus, assessing centralised heat pump options with integration across cooling systems and the existing CHP network - concluding with a recommended pathway to full decarbonisation. Recently we were appointed for a third phase to deliver detailed design and client engineer support for the expansion of the heat network to additional residential, academic, and administration buildings, with construction now complete and a site-wide network is in place as lasting energy infrastructure.
Services
Techno-Economic Feasibility, Heat Decarbonisation Strategy, RIBA Stage 3 Design, Procurement Support, Client Engineer, Construction & Commissioning Support.
Solution
A phased approach was taken to balance short-term economic viability with long-term decarbonisation ambition - deploying gas CHP initially to generate the returns needed to fund network expansion, while ensuring all design decisions preserved full compatibility with future heat pump integration. The resulting site-wide network now provides the platform for a 3.2 MW GSHP installation, supported by 5 MW peak and reserve boilers, to achieve UWE's net zero heat target by 2030.