Building At The Heart Of Lancaster University’s Decarbonisation Uses Magply Boards

A university ranked in the top 25 of sustainable UK universities is using Magply’s fire-resistant roofing boards on its latest project to help it achieve Carbon Net Zero from all energy by 2030 and from all emission scopes by 2035. Some 1,500m2 of Magply’s 12mm-thick boards, which meet Euroclass EN13501 (A1 Non-Combustible) standards and are BBA approved, were specified by renewable energy company Vital Energi for the roof of Energy Centre 2 at Lancaster University.

The magnesium oxysulfate boards were installed by specialist sub-contractor Axis Group to help provide a lightweight, flat surface for the waterproofing of the building at the heart of the university’s investment in further decarbonising its Bailrigg campus. As part of an adhered bituminous roofing system, the Magply boards were installed over metal roof deck sheets with tapered insulation and waterproofing to form a flat non-combustible surface for the roofing system. Situated on the outer edge of its south-east Lancaster campus, Energy Centre 2 is part of a sector-leading renewable energy project to virtually eliminate the use of gas to heat the university’s Bailrigg campus.

The new energy centre will house an innovative array of state-of-the-art air and water source heat pumps totaling 7MW, along with four 250kW e-boilers totaling 1MW generating a projected 39 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of low carbon heat - enough to heat 95% of campus buildings. The centre will also include 1,500m3 of thermal stores which will supplement the new heat supply and help ensure consistent heat during peak times of the day. A visitor facility will also be incorporated into the design of the new energy centre. This will feature an educational meeting room for visitors from other universities, local schools and community groups with an interest in sustainable energy, specifically heat networks.

To carry the heat across campus, 6.5km of district heating pipework is also being installed to increase the network’s coverage from approximately 65% of buildings to 95%. This will be connected to more than 200 properties from the district heat network to receive low-carbon heat and water. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027. The university has also recently completed a 11.3MW solar farm, on 52 acres of university land east of the M6.

Vital Energy’s regional director Scott Lutton said: “The new energy centre, utilising air and water source heat pump technology, will save 2,700 tonnes of carbon annually, making a significant contribution to Lancaster University’s journey towards carbon neutrality.” Energy Centre 2 is the latest addition to Lancaster University’s extensive portfolio of pioneering sustainability projects, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sustainability. It is home to one of the largest environmental science research centres in Europe. www.magply.co.uk