APPENDIX 11: VISIT TO DURHAM UNIVERSITY
4 April 2005
Sub-Committee II visited the University of Durham
to look into the challenge of achieving energy efficiency in a
historically sensitive and fragmented estate. Members attending
were: Lord Lewis, Lord Paul, Baroness Perry (Chairman) and Baroness
Sharp. In attendance: Dr Christopher Johnson (Clerk) and Dr Jonathan
Radcliffe (Specialist Assistant).
Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor, welcomed Members
to the University of Durham. Peter Robinson, Director of Estates
and Buildings, and Dave McCaffery, Engineering Services Manager,
gave a presentation to the Sub-Committee, followed by a tour of
parts of the University, including Durham Castle, Palace Green
Library and Hatfield College. During the day, significant points
raised included:
The University Estate was spread over 212 hectares,
consisting of 217 buildings built between 1076 and 2004, with
Durham Castle designated as a World Heritage Site. The large size
and the fragmented and historical nature of the estate imposed
limitations on the energy efficiency measures that could be implemented.
They also meant that the task of upkeep was hugely expensive—the
total cost of the Estates backlog maintenance was estimated at
over £80 million.
The University's efforts to improve energy efficiency
had largely been pursued in isolation. If anything, the attitude
of the Local Authority and other agencies had been unhelpful.
The Local Planning Authority and English Heritage had imposed
severe restrictions on changes that could be made to some historic
buildings to increase their energy efficiency. Secondary glazing
has not been permitted as it would alter the external appearance.
There had also been objections to the installation of roof insulation
in some areas, although in less sensitive areas it had, where
possible, been applied. In addition, the Sub-Committee was told
that the Heritage Lottery Fund would not support refurbishment
of the Castle, on the basis that the building was used for student
accommodation.
The district heating scheme, which dated from the
1950s and 1960s and served buildings on the Peninsula, was being
decommissioned due to high running and maintenance costs. The
high cost of laying modern pipe work to carry hot water, and the
very limited demand for heat within the confines of the Peninsula,
had ruled out a new district heating or combined heat and power
scheme. Instead, high efficiency gas boilers were being installed
locally.
The Estates and Buildings Department of the University
had introduced an energy efficiency improvement plan. An energy
management system was used to monitor electricity and gas consumption,
with most buildings covered by a sub-meter. Case studies showed
significantly reduced energy use and costs. For example, the regulation
of fans drawing gases from fume cupboards in the Chemistry Building
had saved £6,000 a year, with a payback period of 10 months;
the upgrade and improvement to the lighting system in the Main
Library Building had a projected annual saving of £24,000
and a three-year payback period.
The University, with energy costs of £3.5 million,
had made budget provision (subject to approval) to employ a dedicated
Energy Manager. The Engineering Services Manager, currently responsible
for energy, could only dedicate about 20 percent of his time to
these matters.
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