College’s green project wins top award

A project at one of Derby College Group’s sites to replace ageing coal-fired boilers with modern air source heat pumps has been recognised with a top industry award.

Trane Technologies, which manufactured and supplied the thermal system installed at the college’s Broomfield Hall site, and contractors Carbon Plan Engineering, were recently presented with the People’s Choice Award at the European Heat Pump Awards held in Brussels.

The installation was part of a wider project supported by £3.6 million through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme run by Salix which has also included the installation of solar panels and new LED lights at the college.

Iain Baldwin, director of estates at Derby College Group, said: “We are delighted that the positive impact of this project has been recognised in this way.

“Underpinning all new campus developments is the need to reduce DCG’s carbon footprint in line with government guidelines.

“Relying on a carbon-based fossil fuel heating system at Broomfield Hall was outdated, burdensome in terms of maintenance and repairs and unacceptable in today’s society.

“This installation is a step in the right direction for DCG and is a great example of how green, clean energy provision can be utilised on a greenfield site.”