Whiteknights Utilities Project
University to build new Energy Centre
Updated: May 2014
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35% by 2016, the University of Reading is installing a new Energy Centre that will use Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology. The new gas-fuelled Energy Centre will contribute almost 10% of the carbon savings needed to hit our 35% target and save over £250,000 in utilities costs annually.
It is being constructed opposite the current steam boiler house - off Pepper Lane just before the University Pepper Lane entrance. A new network of insulated pipes is being installed to carry hot water from the new Energy Centre across the east of the Whiteknights campus between Pepper Lane and Shinfield Road.
The trench digging for the new pipes is taking place in three phases, detailed below. During this period some car parks will be restricted in order to house the contractor's cabins or sand and spoil from the digging, and some footpaths will need to be redirected.
The University is working closely with Balfour Beatty to make sure that redirections are signposted as early and as clearly as possible, fencing is erected around the trenches, and that delivery and waste collection vehicles have access to buildings.
We aim to ensure that disruption to staff, students and visitors is kept to a minimum during this essential work.
Phase 1
From 19 August 2013
- Work begins on the construction of the new Energy Centre
- 12 spaces removed from car park 12 for contractor's cabins
October 2013
- Trench digging commenced in areas indicated by the red line on the Whiteknights Utilities Project map (May 2014: almost complete with minor works and trench reinstatement outstanding)
Phase 2
January 2014 onwards
- Trench digging commenced in areas indicated by the blue line on the Whiteknights Utilities Project map - URS to Whiteknights House to HumSS (May 2014: is progressing with a mixture of traditional excavation and suction excavation due to the number of existing services to be avoided. Pipes are installed and reinstatement almost completed up to Palmer and AMS, and in front of HumSS. Trenching up to the Library is complete)
May - August 2014
- First tranche of buildings connected to the new Energy Centre
September 2014
- New Energy Centre begins operation
Phase 3
February/March 2014
- Trench digging commenced in areas indicated by the green line on the Whiteknights Utilities Project map
May - August 2015
- Temporary traffic lights in place near Pepper Lane entrance to control traffic during trenching along the road. The lights will not impact upon the bus route through campus. (2-29 June)
- Second tranche of buildings connected to new Energy Centre
- Existing system de-commissioned
What is Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology?
CHP is the term used to describe the simultaneous on-site production of electricity and heat. In our case 12-15% of our Whiteknights campus electricity consumption will be produced by the new Energy Centre.
CHP technology also has lower emissions of key pollutants, in particular carbon dioxide and sulphur compounds, and higher overall fuel efficiencies (around 80 to 85%). This is because waste heat is recovered that is usually rejected and will now be piped around the campus to provide hot water and heating to 16 of our key buildings.