Each strategy was developed through a detailed technical analysis. The strategies were ultimately judged on four KPI’s as shown here: 

​

• Carbon Emissions  

• Energy Demand 

• Economic Performance  

• Timeframe 

​

Below, an overview of the results of each strategy is presented, relating to the first three KPI’s.  

 

Carbon Emissions 

 

The strategies were selected for the potential to reduce the university’s carbon emissions from both gas and grid electricity consumption. Figure 1 summarises the results from the technical analysis. 

​

                                 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Figure 1: Final results for carbon emissions

​

From the graphic, it is seen that increasing the efficiency of the current system reduces the university’s gas consumption, despite running the CHP at maximum capacity! The photovoltaic expansion has a low emission reduction, relative to Strathclyde’s targets. This is a small reduction, but a reduction none the less. Retrofitting, unsurprisingly, would reduce the heat demand, and thus fossil fuel combustion. This results in large emission reductions. Finally, the waste heat recovery system provides completely carbon free heat, giving the potential to eliminate emissions for the heat demand it could cover.

​

Energy Demand 

 

Reducing energy demand is another vital method in helping the university meet their emission targets. Figure 2 summarises the technical results in relation to energy demand. 

​

                                         

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

Figure 2: Final results for energy demand

​

Increasing the capacity of the CHP provides extra coverage of the DHN’s demand, whilst reducing gas consumption by 9%. The results from PV predict that 4% of grid electricity could be covered by the suggested array sites, with further coverage of all the buildings in the DHN potentially reaching 6% coverage. Retrofitting predicts a 68% reduction in heat demand, a massive step in reaching carbon neutrality if applied campus wide. Waste heat recovery has the potential to cover approximately 6.2 GWh of heat demand previously provided by the CHP system. This covers 21% of the current heat demand. 

​

Economic Performance 

 

The financial analysis of any project is vital when looking at its potential implementation. For this reason, the economics of each strategy were considered to determine if the strategy could be implemented in a cost-effective manner.

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

Figure 3: Final results for economic performance

 

Increasing the efficiency of the system comes at a low capital cost and has the potential to half the energy bill of the university, provided a peer-to-peer electricity contract is possible. Expanding the PV network also requires a relatively small investment and comes with a short payback period, returning approximately 500% on the initial investment over the project’s lifetime. In any case, retrofitting buildings is a costly endeavour requiring substantial investment with a long payback period. However, without the implementation of this strategy the university will struggle to meet their targets. Likewise with the waste heat recovery system, capital costs are high when undertaking a project which requires so much construction. However, the cost of energy is small comparative to other systems and over the project lifetime there could be a return of 700% of the initial capital.  

 

​