Lancaster University: leading the way in estate decarbonisation 

As universities accelerate their journey to net zero, many are rethinking their approach to energy – embracing renewables and building in greater resilience across their estates. 

In response, Lancaster University set out with a clear mission: to take control of its energy future – and deliver on its pledge to reach net zero from electricity and heating by 2030. 

That ambition is now taking shape across the campus in the form of a new integrated energy system. This brings together on-site solar, wind and low-carbon heating to generate and manage energy at an estate scale, with the flexibility to store heat or export electricity depending on demand.  

Recognised as a national exemplar, the programme shows how universities can move beyond isolated projects and deliver decarbonisation at scale – by planning energy systems around the needs of the whole estate.  

Lancaster University is now one of the highest producers of renewable energy of all UK universities, according to figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. 

As long-term partners, we have supported the University across all three projects – from early energy modelling and feasibility through to design, planning and delivery. This included securing full planning permission for the Air Source Heat Pump energy centre and district heating network, as well as planning permission for the amended solar scheme. This partnership, along with our technical and planning expertise, has been key to keeping momentum, unlocking funding and making the system buildable on the ground. 

Today, we continue to act as Lead Consultant, Technical Advisor and NEC Project Manager on both the heat network and the solar farm. 

Construction oversight and coordination 

As NEC Project Manager, Technical Advisor and Cost Consultant for the Net Zero Infrastructure Project, we’re providing day-to-day support throughout the construction phase – coordinating between contractors, stakeholders and the university team to keep work on track.  

Our role includes technical oversight, with our engineers carrying out site inspections, reviewing construction drawings and assessing technical submittals. We are also monitoring progress against the programme, supporting design decisions, resolving construction queries and helping manage cost and risk. In addition, we’re supporting the handover process, making sure the system is delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with the University’s long-term objectives. 

Supporting Lancaster University’s net zero journey  

Our involvement began over a decade ago as project manager and lead consultant for the 2.5-megawatt (MW) wind turbine installation – the first of its kind at a UK university.  

In 2022, following planning approval, we were appointed Owner’s Engineer for the university’s 11MW solar farm.  

On reviewing the design, our solar engineers quickly identified that the layout hadn’t fully accounted for site constraints. Therefore, we recommended a constructability review to assess whether the design could realistically be delivered on the ground.  

The review found that the original layout wasn’t suitable due to panel height restrictions and site gradients. Left unchanged, the scheme would have lost up to 25 per cent of its capacity – adding an estimated £14 million in electricity costs over its lifetime. Our team revised the design to stay within the approved planning parameters, allowing the university to address any issues before tender. 

In parallel, we’ve played a key role in delivering the district heat network, developing the design from its conceptual state and successfully taking the project through to full planning permission. We also supported on the procurement of a design-and-build contractor and are currently working for the University to support them with the discharge of planning conditions, and to ensure the energy centre and network are designed to the University’s requirements.  

Now under construction, this low-carbon network will provide heat across the estate, reducing reliance on gas and improving overall efficiency. 

All three systems are physically connected by a private wire network and feed into a central energy centre. This setup allows the university to manage, use or export energy depending on demand, generation and market conditions, supporting long-term resilience and flexibility. 

The Net Zero Energy Centre will use state-of-the-art heat pump technology to generate an estimated 39-gigawatt hours (GWh) of low carbon heat — enough to supply 95 per cent of the buildings on campus. 

Our team has been involved in ensuring the scheme is deliverable and supporting compliance with grant conditions and reporting requirements. 

Investing in future talent 

As part of its wider transformation, Lancaster University is creating valuable opportunities for skills development and supply chain engagement. This includes internships and placements, primarily delivered through the contractor, with a focus on appointing and broadening the local supply chain. 

Alongside this, our team has supported early career development across multiple disciplines – funding an MSc in Sustainability and providing graduate roles across several disciplines to help build future skills and capability. 

Applying our energy masterplanning expertise 

To help make the system work as one, we supported the integration of new and existing energy infrastructure, assessed utility clashes and helped coordinate connections across the site. 

As part of our energy modelling, we carried out an initial review of battery energy storage systems (BESS) options for the solar scheme to determine whether it was worth adjusting the solar design to include storage. We also looked at transformer sizing, heat storage options and other factors, helping the University understand current and future demand, growth scenarios and optimal phasing. 

This integrated energy masterplanning is helping deliver an estate-wide system that supports operational flexibility – crucial in a time of high energy costs and supply uncertainty. The ability to switch between consuming, storing or exporting power gives the University greater control over both costs and carbon, while improving resilience against grid disruption.  

This flexibility is particularly valuable on a mixed-use campus, where academic, research and residential buildings have different energy loads and usage patterns. 

Additionally, our team developed a Control and Resilience strategy to help monitor and optimise performance over time. This includes a year-long post-commissioning placement focused on the district heating system – monitoring performance and exploring opportunities for optimisation through digital tools such as a potential energy twin and advanced data analytics. 

By taking this integrated, forward-looking approach, we’re helping Lancaster University create a smart, adaptive energy system that can respond to change – reducing costs, cutting carbon and supporting long-term net zero ambitions. 

A new model for net zero campuses 

Lancaster University is emerging as an exemplar for what can be achieved when universities plan for net zero at estate scale. Its integrated approach will not only improve resilience and cut energy cost help but also reduce emissions.  

The solar site will also host a 50-kilowatt (kW) agrivoltaics demonstrator – believed to be the UK’s first of its kind – which will explore how solar panels and food crops can be co-located, producing renewable energy and agriculture from the same piece of land.  

Other institutions are already looking to learn from Lancaster, recognising the project as a live example of best practice in sustainable campus energy.