The University of East London (UEL) has announced an extension of its strategic partnership with Siemens to develop a water source heat pump in the River Thames. This initiative is part of UEL's efforts to create a net zero campus by 2030.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, emphasized the significance of this project, stating: “London is leading the way in the fight against climate change, and projects like this pioneering partnership between the University of East London and Siemens are key to our city’s transition to a greener, more sustainable future. By harnessing the power of the River Thames to heat university buildings, this initiative demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can drive real progress towards net zero. It not only reduces carbon emissions but also sets a powerful example of how London’s institutions can embrace cutting-edge, clean energy solutions to build a better, fairer and greener city for all Londoners.”
Professor Amanda Broderick, UEL Vice-Chancellor & President, highlighted the university's commitment: “We are committed to driving forward sustainable innovation that not only reduces our environmental impact but also creates a living laboratory for the next generation of climate leaders. This Water Source Heat Pump demonstrates how universities can be at the forefront of the green energy transition, harnessing our natural surroundings to drive real change. Through our strategic partnership with Siemens, we are accelerating towards our 2030 net zero targets, delivering cutting-edge solutions that will benefit all the communities we serve and the planet.”
Constantin Ginet from Siemens Smart Infrastructure Buildings added: “The collaboration is a great example of how academia and the private sector can work together to achieve sustainability targets. Leveraging data is key when aiming to better understand buildings and energy consumption. And this long-term partnership demonstrates how data creates the basis for gaining more confidence in deploying large-scale tech.”
Since forming their partnership in 2022, UEL and Siemens have implemented various decarbonization technologies on campus including solar photovoltaic systems, building management systems, Building X digital platform, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Building X is part of Siemens Xcelerator which helps customers accelerate their digital transformation efficiently.