Decarbonising how we heat UCL: cleaner energy, better buildings, long‑term resilience

Heating is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions across UCL’s estate. How heat is generated, distributed and reused also has a direct impact on comfort, reliability and long‑term resilience. Through the Infrastructure Masterplan (IMP), UCL is delivering a coordinated programme of heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects to reduce emissions while improving how buildings function day-to-day.  

Why heat decarbonisation matters 

Much of UCL’s historic estate has traditionally relied on gas‑fired heating systems connected to local heat networks. They generate significant carbon emissions and leave the university exposed to volatile energy prices. 

Decarbonising heat is therefore about more than carbon reduction alone. It supports: 

• Long‑term progress towards net-zero 
• Improved energy security and resilience 
• More comfortable internal temperatures and building performance 
• Infrastructure that can adapt as technology and legislation changes 

Rather than a single intervention, this work is being delivered as a portfolio of linked projects, allowing UCL to move at pace while learning from each stage. 

Key projects underway 

Cruciform building – testing low‑carbon approaches 

At the Cruciform building, UCL is installing air source heat pumps (ASHPs) as part of upgrading the heating and cooling system in the building. The project includes a new‑to‑UK approach using an alternative refrigerant, designed to perform efficiently within a dense urban environment. 

Crucially, the Cruciform acts as a test bed for larger and more complex buildings. It will provide real‑world performance data and operational insight, helping UCL understand how low‑carbon heat technologies can be integrated into existing buildings while maintaining comfort for staff and students. 

Gower Street heat network – thinking at street scale 

The Gower Street Heat Network takes a whole‑area approach to decarbonisation. Instead of upgrading buildings in isolation, this project looks at how heat generation and distribution can be redesigned across multiple connected buildings. 

This coordinated approach improves efficiency, reduces duplication of plant and creates a scalable platform for future low‑carbon heat sources. It marks a shift from incremental upgrades to a more strategic, network‑led model. 

Bloomsbury Heat and Power Network – evolving existing infrastructure 

Alongside building‑specific projects, UCL is working with partners to decarbonise the Bloomsbury Heat and Power Network (BHPN), a shared district heating system serving the southern half of the Bloomsbury estate. 

The network is operated by the Bloomsbury Heat and Power Consortium, a long‑standing partnership between UCL, the University of London and SOAS, and supplies heat to academic buildings used by more than 50,000 students across the three institutions. Much of the infrastructure is over 80 years old and has historically relied on gas‑ and oil‑fired plant. 

Rather than replacing infrastructure on a building‑by‑building basis, partners are taking a coordinated, network‑scale approach. The current programme will progressively replace legacy systems with low‑carbon air source heat pumps, electric boilers and thermal storage, significantly reducing reliance on gas. A key early phase is centred on 20 Bedford Way, where new electric plant will meet most day‑to‑day heating demand. 

The project is part‑funded by a £7.2 million grant from the government’s Green Heat Network Fund, with specialist engineering contractor Colloide delivering the first phase of works. 

What heat recovery means in practice 

Heat recovery is a key part of this transition and is already being expanded across the estate. 

In simple terms, heat recovery means capturing heat that would otherwise be lost and reusing it elsewhere. At UCL, this can include recovering waste heat from cooling equipment, storing heat in tanks for later use, balancing heating and cooling loads across connected buildings, and using ventilation systems to preheat incoming fresh air. 

This improves efficiency, reduces energy demand and helps buildings perform more consistently. 

Energy efficiency beyond heating 

Heat decarbonisation sits alongside wider energy efficiency upgrades, including UCL’s ongoing LED lighting rollout. 

Replacing legacy lighting with LED, prioritised by asset condition and carbon impact, is reducing electricity use and maintenance demand while improving lighting quality in teaching, study and circulation spaces. These changes directly improve everyday experience, making spaces brighter, safer and more comfortable. 

Supporting UCL’s Sustainability Plan 

This work directly supports UCL’s Sustainability Plan 2025–2035, which commits the university to achieving net zero carbon emissions for scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, and for all scopes by 2040. 

“Decarbonising how we heat our buildings is one of the most important actions we can take to reduce UCL’s operational carbon emissions. These projects show how we are combining long-term sustainability ambition with practical investment in building performance and user comfort, comments Adrien Cooper, Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operations.

Your role in a more sustainable campus 

While much of this work happens behind the scenes, its success is supported by feedback from building users. Reporting issues with heating, cooling or comfort through MyCampus helps Estates teams identify patterns and prioritise improvements. 

MyCampus – your space to report an issue or provide feedback