FE/HE NEWS
River Thames to help power University of East London net zero campus of the future
The University of East London (UEL) is extending its strategic partnership with global technology company Siemens in a contract that will see the business design and install a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) to help power its net zero campus of the future.
The new WSHP is set to be the largest fitted at any university and will power the university’s Docklands Campus Library and Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability buildings, replacing existing gas boilers – and together with campus existing green energy infrastructure, achieve carbon zero in these spaces.
Submerged in the River Thames, the closed-loop system will use a series of pipes to extract natural heat from the water in the Royal Albert Docks, providing a cost-effective heating system which will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 258 tonnes without removing vast quantities of water from the river.
The system is scalable to allow the university to extend in the future similar heat pump systems across the Campus and the wider Royal Docks – the only Enterprise Zone in London – and is part of the long-term partnership with Siemens, which is supporting the university’s transition to net zero by 2030.
The strategic partnership, which was formed in 2022, has already seen Siemens deploy a variety of decarbonisation technologies including solar PV, Building Management Systems and EV charging infrastructure across the university campus. In addition, Siemens is using its Building X technologies and data analytics to allow UEL to better understand its energy consumption and drive research and enterprise programmes. UEL has reduced its CO emissions and carbon-producing energy consumption more than any other modern London university already, and by 2026 will achieve the lowest emissions per student in the UK – putting it on track to achieve its 2030 net zero targets. The partnership is providing a clear, replicable blueprint for
sustainability. As well as saving the university over £500,000 per year in utility costs and reducing emissions by over 1,000 tonnes annually, the partnership has driven a unique range of successful green employability, enterprise and research initiatives including student internships, MSc sponsorships, hackathons, and the creation of a ‘Living Lab’ for training and research on sustainability.
This project supports the Mayor of London’s vision for a greener, more sustainable capital, advancing his commitment to cleaner air, renewable energy, and achieving net zero by 2030.
Cheshire College esports team makes finals of Formula 1 League
The Esports team at Cheshire College – South & West has secured a place in the final round of the Formula 1 Student Racing League. After a series of intense knockout races, the College team earned a spot in the top 10, where they will compete against nine other colleges and universities from across the UK.
The finals will take place on 29 April 2025 at the iconic Williams F1 factory in Oxfordshire.
This marks a significant milestone for the team, who have been preparing for the occasion using advanced racing simulators and state-of-the-art facilities at the College, which were acquired through a collaboration with Williams F1. The team consists of six talented students, each bringing their different skills to the table. While two students will race, the remaining members will focus on key roles such as strategy, planning, and engineering.
Level 3 Esports student Charlie Cope expressed his excitement: ““I am thrilled to be taking part in the competition for a second year in a row, and we are really proud to have made it to the finals once again.”
“The College has opened my eyes to lots of different careers that I didn’t even know existed. After college I’m going to pursue competitive esports
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racing at a professional level and will be continuing to study for a degree in Esports at university.”
The upcoming event promises to be a thrilling experience, combining competitive racing with educational opportunities. Students will have the chance to race in real-time simulations, tour the Williams F1 museum and heritage collection, and gain valuable insights into careers within both esports and Formula 1.
Aiden Goodwin, Lecturer in Esports and Games Development commented: “We are incredibly proud of our student’s achievements in the Racing League,”
“Competing against 60 colleges from the start, the journey has been invaluable, providing our students hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity to apply their skills in both esports and engineering.” With the final round on the horizon, the team is preparing for this huge opportunity. The top performers in the competition will have the chance to demonstrate their skills to a wider audience, making this an invaluable stepping stone for students interested in pursuing careers in motorsports or esports.
April 2025
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