New ground source heat pump at Berkshire College of Agriculture helps fulfil its ambitious sustainability goals
Project overview
Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) has put together an ambitious heat decarbonisation plan for their Learning Centre having received £247,719 of funding as part of Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). The grant, which is delivered by Salix Finance on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), will see the existing dual kerosene boiler system replaced with a ground source heat pump (GSHP). In addition, the building energy management system (BEMS) will also be upgraded to ensure efficient use of energy and minimise heat wastage. The project is expected to help BCA reduce carbon emissions by 649.2 tonnes over the air source heat pump’s 20-year lifespan. The college is also keen to champion the benefits of funding and want to become an example to other further education colleges, encouraging them to apply for grants which will help support their sustainability and net zero goals.
The college is located across 450 acres of farmland and is committed to buying 100% renewable electricity, with the ground source heat pump paving the way to decarbonise its estate. This enables BCA to continue with its sustainability goals whilst also helping it to lower its energy bills.
Student engagement and sustainability initiatives
The college prides itself on keeping its students updated with its sustainability plans as well as educating them on how these technologies work, why they benefit the environment and how they help reduce its carbon footprint.
Louis Wright, Sustainability Manager at BCA, gave applied science students a tour of the plant rooms around the college, where students learnt about biomass and kerosene systems and energy efficiency and fuel yields of heat transfer on heat engine pumps and transfers. The students also looked at energy efficiency and fuel yields as this was relevant to their understanding of heat transfer. In addition, a review of the new air source heat pump units to be installed on site was conducted, tying the project directly to their curriculum. The contractor, isoenergy who is performing the installation, is also engaging with the college to help record video content for students which helps explain the system that is currently being installed in terms of both its efficiency and environmental benefits.
The college is in the process of relaunching its Sustainability hub website, which includes tips and advice for staff and students on how to reduce their carbon footprint. A sustainability working group of staff and students, helps advise on projects that achieve broad engagement from across the community. The college’s first EV charging point has also recently been commissioned, which is significant given the college’s rural location. There is also a heavy emphasis on recycling, with mixed recycling handled by the local borough, with food and general waste going to an anaerobic digestion plant and an energy recovery facility.
