Robert Gordon University edges closer to net zero goal following £2.1m loan

Project overview 

Robert Gordon University (RGU) has implemented a range of carbon reduction upgrades across several of its buildings including RGU Sport and Aberdeen Business School. Measures included refurbishing air handling units (AHU), upgrading car park lighting to LED, and installing variable speed drives (VSDs) to pumps servicing the campus.

Technical breakdown

The AHU at Aberdeen Business School manages the building's temperature more efficiently meaning less energy is required to maintain a constant operating level.

Car park lighting stays on for prolonged periods so they were upgraded to LED lighting across the university, resulting in more consistent and brightly lit areas creating a securer environment in winter for staff and students and bringing significant money and efficiency savings.

VSDs were installed at The Isobel Gordon Building and at RGU Sport, which will reduce the amount of energy expended by allowing the heating and cooling system’s fan speed to be
regulated.

To track the savings the university installed several sub-meters across the estate and introduced specialist monitoring software.

Student engagement

RGU offers several courses which centre on sustainability with modules on topics such as net zero. It is hoped that by 2023 more than 60 per cent of RGU’s courses will incorporate net-zero increasing to 100 per cent by 2025.

New environmental courses at the university include an MBA in sustainability and energy transitions, gas and renewable energy law and an online course in sustainable development.

Funding energy efficiency across Scotland's universities

Robert Gordon was able to fund these projects as a result of the Universities For The Future Scheme (UFTF), which is part of the University Financial Transactions Programme administered by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and delivered by Salix Finance. The programme provides low-interest loans to support university capital investments made in response to the climate emergency with the aim of significantly reducing the Scottish university sector’s carbon footprint.

You can read more about the programme under the Funding the Public Sector section on the Salix Finance website.