Electrifying UCL’s heating network for a greener Bloomsbury

UCL is working in partnership with University of London and SOAS to decarbonise our shared heating network, with the work at 20 Bedford Way to electrify our heating a significant step on this journey.

Installing the new equipment enables the replacement of a vast, historic network, with some parts over 80 years old. It is a significant step towards a greener future for our campuses and the Bloomsbury community, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and operational efficiency can go hand in hand.

The district network - known as the Bloomsbury Heat and Power Network (BHPN) - is shared between UCL, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and University of London (UoL). The three universities together make up the 'Bloomsbury Heat and Power Consortium', working together to reduce fuel consumption and costs. Alongside gas and oil boilers, the current network uses a combined heat and power engine, which is gas-fueled, to generate electricity and heat buildings. The consortium has now appointed [Colloide to carry out the first phase of decarbonising the BHPN by installing more efficient, electric-powered air-source heat pumps and boilers at 20 Bedford Way. 

Parts of the network are reaching the end of their feasible life cycle, and the consortium want to take the opportunity to install zero-carbon solutions for the next stage of the heating network. Replacing gas and oil with electricity as the source for heat and power is part of this solution. It is a significant step towards UCL's wider commitment to operating on a basis of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

New air-source heat pumps at 20 Bedford Way will feed into the network and meet most of the day-to-day demand, supported by electric boilers and thermal storage. Powered by electricity, this modernised heating equipment will lower overall carbon emissions. In the coldest months, peak demand will be supported by gas boilers. By improving energy performance across connected buildings, it’s expected that the boilers can be phased out over time. When the buildings hold more heat in, peak demand will be lower and the boilers will no longer be necessary.  

UCL has reduced our emissions from heating and powering the campus (also referred to as emission scopes 1& 2) by 56% since 2018/19. The decarbonisation of the Bloomsbury heat and power network will drive further reductions, contributing 1.5% to UCL’s overall net zero target. UCL has committed to reducing overall emissions from energy use, increasing recycling and reuse of waste, and supporting biodiversity across its estate.  

Preparatory work has begun, and UCL will publish more detailed information on this project, and any anticipated impact on the campus, prior to installation starting.

You can read more about our research to solving the challenges of climate change. 

Read more about our action on sustainability including our strategy “Change Possible”.