Mansfield Halls, University of Reading

Project info

Name:
LoadTracker - CHP

Consultant: AECOM, Altrincham

The Project

Mansfield Halls near Reading provides accommodation for students at Reading University. For the purposes of the project the site is divided into Blocks A-F with a total of 457 bedrooms and Block G with 147 bedrooms and 14 studios.

The Challenge

To provide a system for domestic hot water that would reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions in support of the University’s sustainability strategy. The system also needed to deliver a high level of flexibility in order to respond to highly variable demands for hot water.

Summary of site demand

Annual electricity demand………………………2,145,204 kWh
Electricity price (excluding CCL)………………….11.46 p/kWh
Gas consumption……………………………………575,293 kWh
Gas price (excluding CCL)…………………………..3.10 p/kWh

The solution

Supplied and installed 3 x LoadTracker CHP with 15kWe/30kWth capacity each (two units for Blocks A-F, one for Block G) and 3 x 1,000 litre heat storage vessels.

Features

Modular design for flexibility of installation
Long service intervals (8,000 hours or 2 years)
Low noise levels (49dB), equivalent to a quiet office
Automatic modulation of electrical output to minimise use of expensive grid electricity

Benefits

Onsite power generation with reduced consumption of grid electricity
Major cost savings
Significant reduction in carbon footprint
Central plant room DHW production with minimal use of backup boilers

Cost and Carbon Savings

Around 105 tonnes of CO2 emissions are reduced per annum by using a CHP system instead of a conventional m
ains supply/gas boiler system. This will also result in financial savings of nearly £29,000 per annum, compared to a mains supply/gas boiler system.

Cost and Carbon Savings