Overview and challenge

The University of Glasgow was looking to save on energy usage and associated costs to help meet the Scottish Government’s climate change target of a 42% reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. It had identified that a new laboratory refurbishment project could help the institution go some way to achieving its goals.

The solution

The University engaged leading fume cupboard manufacturers Laboratory Specialist Services Ltd to undertake a consolidation of its medicinal chemistry and chemical biology laboratories into a single 500m2 open plan laboratory.

As part of this work, Laboratory Specialist Services Ltd installed TEL’s AFA1000/E digital airflow controllers and auto sash controllers to regulate airflow according to need and to automatically close fume cupboards when not in use, thus saving on energy.

The VAV system was selected as an energy-saving alternative to a conventional constant airflow volume (CAV) fume cupboard system, whereby air is continuously sucked out of the laboratory and replaced with clean air, even when the cupboards aren’t in use.

Benefits

The project resulted in a saving of 270 MWh of energy and over £34,000 in energy costs. It also won the coveted S-Lab 2015 Awards, which recognises excellence in the design, operation and management of laboratories that have resulted in improved performance and enhanced sustainability and safety.

Said the University of Glasgow school of chemistry’s Graham Tobasnick: “The new fume cupboard VAV control system is playing a major role in minimising our energy consumption and expenditure, and we are delighted that our sustainable refurbishment has been recognised by S-Lab.”

Added TEL’s director, Richard Eady: “We are pleased to have been selected by Laboratory Specialist Services to provide equipment that will help the university to operate sustainably.”

This is the second time that a TEL project has won an S-Lab award. Last year, its work for the University of Leeds helped the institution to win the laboratory environmental improvement category.