Sustainable Campus Fund case studies

Find out about the Sustainable Campus Fund, from developing your initial idea, the application process, through to project completion

The Sustainable Campus Fund is an internal investment vehicle that finances projects within the University for implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability projects that generate cost savings.  It was approved by the Estates Committee in May 2016 with £2.75M allocated for 3 years commencing in 2016/17.

Projects are scored against a number of criteria, including their cost and how much carbon they will save. Projects proposed are screened by a joint Estates and SRS working group using a points-based system that considers financial payback, carbon savings, match funding, innovation, creativity and collaboration.

Below are some case studies about the Sustainable Campus Fund. They explain the whole process from why these projects were put forward, completing a funding application, and how these projects were completed. 

If you would like to have a case study written about your project, please contact us at: SRS.Department@ed.ac.uk.

28 fume cupboards upgraded in the School of Chemistry

This Sustainable Campus Fund project will reduce heat and electricity consumption of fume cupboards by over 50%. Funding also came from the Scottish Funding Council.

Eight energy efficient freezers at Queens Medical Research Institute

Neil Johnston, Laboratory Manager at the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, tells us how the centre is saving energy after using the Sustainable Campus Fund to purchase more efficient freezer equipment.

New chillers save water in the School of Chemistry

Both teaching and research labs in the School of Chemistry have made successful applications to the Sustainable Campus Fund to purchase efficient new chillers to save water and utility costs.

Replacing halogen dissecting lamps with LEDs at the Hugh Robson Building

Carol Wollaston, Lab Manager at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences in the Hugh Robson Building discusses their application to replace halogen dissection lamps with new LED dissection lamps through the Sustainable Campus Fund.

Recovering helium in the School of Chemistry

Liquid helium is excellent at cooling superconducting electromagnets, but easily evaporates and escapes from equipment due to being the second smallest element. With global supplies of this non-renewable resource becoming scarce, the School of Chemistry used the Sustainable Campus Fund to invest in a novel solution to trap and collect escaping helium so it can be used again.

Have these case studies have inspired you to apply for the Sustainable Campus Fund?

Apply to the Sustainable Campus Fund