University of East London
University of East London helping create a sustainable future
With energy costs soaring and climate change rarely out of the headlines, the University of East London is among those organisations doing its bit to build a greener London. Earlier this year, energy Minister Malcolm Wicks visited UEL's Docklands campus to launch a pioneering renewable energy initiative that will save over 10 tonnes of CO2 every year.
UEL's Sustainability Research Institute teamed up with Solarcentury to install 130 high-efficiency solar panels to the roof of the university's Business School and Library on the waterfront of the Royal Albert Dock, with the potential to generate 17,430 kWh of electricity - enough to power the building's 800 computers and workstations. The system links directly to a LCD screen display in the Knowledge Dock café showing the energy generated and carbon saved.
"Small-scale projects like the one here at UEL will play a highly significant role in the fight against climate change," said Malcolm Wicks, who braved the wind to inspect the first of a number of experimental 2.5kW wind turbines on campus. These will also help generate electricity for business incubator units and specialist laboratories.
Under the directorship of Darryl Newport, the Sustainability Research Institute at UEL brings together research across a wide range of disciplines including architecture and the built environment, civil engineering, new materials technologies, geo-information systems, pipeline technology, renewable energy, flood defence, environmental science and biodiversity conservation.
UEL's institute is working in partnership with businesses and development agencies London-wide to develop innovative eco-efficient  technologies and promote a carbon-neutral society. Newport, a civil engineer and expert on sustainable construction, is also leading the London Thames Gateway sustainable procurement project in collaboration with the Olympic Delivery Authority, and is a consultant on a range of programmes across our region.
"Right now we're seeing a lot of innovation and interest environmental technologies from government and big business" said Newport. "With energy and raw materials prices increasing, there is a huge economic incentive to clean up our act, and in areas like Thames Gateway, we have the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice."
Meanwhile, UEL continues to set the pace on sustainability, and is part of the Mayor of London's Green 500 programme, as well as the national Higher Education Carbon Management Programme. Supported by The Carbon Trust, UEL is working to reduce its total carbon footprint by up to 20% by 2012.
In 2007, UEL became the UK's first university in the UK to offer a free access pay as you go cycling scheme for students and staff, and the distinctive yellow bikes are now available at local stations and shopping centres too. Docklands campus was short-listed for Building of the Year 2001 for its energy efficient design, and the new waterfront Student Village is engineered to maximise heat and water use.
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Darryl Newport will be one of the judges of the Archant London Environmental Awards. For details of the Sustainability Research Institute at UEL, visit www.uel.ac.uk/sri