Charging ahead

Keele University has unveiled plans to become ‘carbon neutral’ by using green energy sources that will reduce its dependency on the national grid.

The Staffordshire-based university hopes that its initiatives will attract external investment and create a research hub for the study and development of alternative forms of energy.

The university is currently exploring sources of funding for a £20m development that will include improvements on campus and a research centre, in addition to £5m for sustainable energy technology and research.

The plans were announced at an event on campus attended by potential development partners Nexen Exploration UK and Partnership For Renewables, a company established by the Carbon Trust.

Campus energy-saving schemes have so far included solar hot water regeneration at its halls of residence, improvements to building fabric, a staff awareness campaign and a lighting upgrade.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England has already awarded around £0.75m to the university’s Faculty of Natural Sciences to fund energy research.