The university is to spend £350 million to deliver eight new buildings and 15 major refurbishment projects by 2010.
Faced with energy costs escalating by up to 80% and the need to reduce carbon emissions, the university sees energy conservation as a critical factor in its building programme.
Chris Cunningham, assistant mechanical and energy manager, explains, ‘Our total energy budget next year is £15 million, and £9 million of that is accounted for by electricity. We estimate that lighting alone accounts for around 50% of the electrical load.’
Measurements of electricity consumption in a trial area before and after the installation of an Ex-Or system showed a saving in electricity of 69%.
Corridors, meeting rooms, computer suites, science laboratories, reception lobbies, offices and lecture theatres all have Ex-Or equipment installed.
The LightSpot system turns lights on and off and controls their brightness by monitoring the presence of occupants and natural light available.
The Digital Managed Lighting System is also extensively used.
