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Press Release13 March 2025Smart InfrastructureZug,
Switzerland
River Thames to help power University of East London net zero campus of the future
University of East London extends Siemens strategic partnership to design and deliver a water source heat pump situated in the River Thames
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
tons 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 Docks, which
is the only Enterprise Zone in London. The project is part of a long-term
partnership with Siemens, supporting the university’s transition to net zero by
2030.
UEL has reduced its CO₂ 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. As well as
saving the university over £500,000 per year in utility costs and reducing
emissions by over 1,000 tons annually, it 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 also directly 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.
Mayor of
London, Sadiq Khan, said: “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.”
UEL Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Amanda
Broderick, said: “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, Executive Vice President,
Sustainability, 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.”
The partnership, which was formed in 2022,
has already seen Siemens deploy a variety of decarbonization technologies
including solar photovoltaic, building management systems, the digital building
platform Building X, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the
campus.
Building X is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an
open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their
digital transformation easier, faster and at scale.
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Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions, and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. As of September 30, 2024, the business had around 78,500 employees worldwide.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.
In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €75.9 billion and net income of €9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €75.9 billion and net income of €9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
Reference Number: HQSIPR202503107118EN