Oxford Brookes secures Government grant for new heat pump system to cut carbon emissions
Oxford Brookes University has received £1 million in Government funding to install a new heat pump system on campus, a move set to cut carbon emissions by an estimated 500 tonnes per year.
Funding for the project comes from a non-repayable grant awarded by Salix Finance, a public body backed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which supports public sector organisations in their transition to net zero emissions.
The new heat pump will enhance the sustainability credentials of the already eco-friendly Headington Campus, operating alongside the existing geoexchange system in the University’s John Henry Brookes Building, which was completed in July 2022. The new heat pump is due to be operational by March 2026.
Once in operation, the heat pump will extend the supply of low-carbon heat from the John Henry Brookes Building to additional locations on campus, including the Sinclair, Abercrombie, Fuller, Gibbs, Clerici and Tonge buildings, as well as the Oxford Brookes Enterprise Centre. It will replace an ageing gas fired heat and power system, further reducing the University’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Gavin Hodgson, Decarbonisation Strategic Lead at Oxford Brookes University, said: “The installation of this innovative new heat pump is a significant milestone for Oxford Brookes and reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Once operational, this system will be the equivalent of decarbonising 83 typical family homes. This project is a testament to our commitment to supporting Oxford’s ambition of becoming net-zero by 2040, and builds on our decarbonisation efforts to date.”
This project will be delivered in partnership with green energy suppliers Black Mountain Renewables and Erda Energy Ltd.
Oxford Brookes’s commitment to a green future
As part of Oxford Brookes University’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovative ‘heating boost’ buttons were also introduced on Headington Campus in December 2024. These smart controls give staff and students the flexibility to extend heating in designated spaces for up to two hours, helping to prevent unnecessary energy use and reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 17 tonnes annually. By ensuring heating is only used when needed, the system minimises waste, preventing unoccupied buildings from being heated unnecessarily.
The new boost buttons have been installed in six locations across the Headington Campus, including the John Payne, Lloyd, and Richard Hamilton buildings, and Oxford Brookes Enterprise Centre.
Meanwhile, 16 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers were recently installed at the University’s Headington Hill site. These pay chargers will be available to staff and visitors with EVs from March 2025.
In May last year, 1,400m² of solar panels were installed across three locations on the University’s Headington Campus. These state-of-the-art panels can generate 260,000 kWh of solar electricity annually - cutting carbon emissions by around 55 tonnes per year.