Student Housing Project
Client:
A London University
Location:
London, UK
Technology
VirtuHOT
VirtuPVT
Benefits
- Annual thermal output: 150.57 million BTU
- Electrical output: 3,487 kWh/year
- Carbon savings: 10.96 tons per year
Summary
The University needed to supply hot water for 3,000 students on its West London campus. With limited roof space on the city campus, they required a high energy density solution to also tackle their Scope 2 emissions and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2025. Improving student experience by enabling students to engage with renewable generation on site was also a high priority for the University.
The university partnered with Naked Energy to develop the system concept, which includes 135 VirtuHOT and 60 VirtuPVT solar collectors, manufactured by Naked Energy.
The 1,496 square foot system was designed and installed on sloped roofs by Convert Energy. With limited roof space on the city campus, they required a cost-effective, high-energy-density solution.
Phase 1
The first Virtu installation took place in 2019, with 60 VirtuHOT tubes. This provides zero-carbon hot water to student housing that previously relied on natural gas, reducing their Scope 1 emissions.
Phase 2
Following the success of Phase 1, in October 2021, the university installed a second, larger array of 75 VirtuHOT and 60 VirtuPVT tubes on another housing block, providing both heat and power to the resident students.