Behind-the-scenes tour of the campus - Sustainable technology in practice

Harper Adams University students take a behind-the-scenes tour of their own campus to learn about sustainable technology in practice.

Students were guided around facilities by Anthony Hughes, the University’s Infrastructure Systems Engineer, who explained the workings of the combined heat and power (CHP) unit as well as the biomass boiler.

These facilities were installed recently as part of the University’s Sustainable Transformation: Energy Project (STEP) and meet a large proportion of the energy demands on campus from low carbon sources. Students were also shown the plant room in the basement of one of the halls of residence to show how the sustainable heating system meets their hot water and heating needs in student accommodation. The tour followed on from classroom sessions on the topic of renewable energy and allowed students to see examples of real installations in operation. Students also learned about other sustainable aspects of the Harper Adams University campus such as green roofs which can alleviate flooding by absorbing rainwater and can also enhance biodiversity. Furthermore, students learned about photovoltaic arrays which are installed across campus as a means of producing electricity from a renewable source, the sun.

 These students are undertaking a module on Contemporary Countryside and Environmental Issues as part of their degree programmes in the University’s Countryside, Environment, Wildlife and Geography course area. Module leader Dr Jonathan Cooper and module tutor Dr Simon Jeffery incorporated this campus tour as part of learning activities associated with this module.

Links:

https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/cewg.cfm

https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202894/groundbreaking-project-set-to-step-up-campus-energy-supplies