A multi-million pound environmentally friendly Combined Heat and Power (CHP) infrastructure project at the University of Aberdeen is reaching the final stage.
The three year project at King's College campus has involved the installation of new centralised boilers and a combined heat and power plant and distribution network, serving the entire campus. The new facility represents one of the largest CHP systems in the country.
The new system offers several very significant environmental benefits, including a reduction in carbon and NOx emissions; improved air quality; and improved energy efficiency.
The use of combined Heat and Power plant on site to generate electricity more efficiently than conventional power stations will also have a global benefit by reducing CO2 emissions by some 4,920 tonnes per annum due to the high efficiencies of local generation and heat recovery.
The final phase of this project involves the demolition of the 41m landmark chimney adjacent to the University's Meston building which has been a prominent feature in the Aberdeen skyline for the last 30 years. Due to the nature of its construction and the confined setting the chimney demolition had to involve a very intricate demolition methodology with the sections effectively being mechanically nibbled and the debris dropped inside the chimney.
University Director of Estates, Angus Donaldson, said that whilst the project further highlighted the University's capital investment commitment, it more importantly highlighted the wider commitment to protecting the environment.
He said, "This has been a very complex but exciting project for the University and further reinforces the University of Aberdeen's ongoing work in environmental sustainability.
"Everyone in the project team has worked very hard but greatly appreciated the support and understanding of the University and local resident communities during the project which has seen for some time very large scale civil and mechanical engineering works throughout the campus (which lies within the historic Old Aberdeen conservation area)."
The project has been funded by the University and supported by a £1.75M grant from the Energy Savings Trust.