Driving Net Zero: CPW at WIBSE Decarbonisation Tour
This week, we attended the WIBSE West Midlands Decarbonisation Tour and Talk, hosted by the University of Wolverhampton at its Walsall Campus. The event was organised in honour of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) next week, and brought together industry professionals to share insights on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.
Our Associate, Marianna Ponikarovskaya, represented CPW at the event, delivering a talk on the Walsall Campus decarbonisation programme, and our role in supporting the University’s journey towards net zero. The session also featured contributions from Vital Energi and BMSi, highlighting the collaborative approach driving the project forward.
The University of Wolverhampton is currently undertaking a major £11 million infrastructure upgrade at its Walsall Campus as part of an ambitious decarbonisation programme. Funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), the project aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by around 12%, aligning with the University’s ESG commitments, Strategy 2035, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
At the heart of the scheme is a multi-technology energy solution designed to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions by over 1,000 tonnes annually.
Key elements of the project include:
Air source heat pump systems replacing end-of-life gas-fired boilers, delivering low-carbon heating and hot water
Future heat recovery integration, reusing chilled water from heat pumps to improve system efficiency and reduce summer energy demand
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations across campus buildings to generate renewable electricity on-site
Energy efficiency upgrades, including improved controls, insulation, and optimisation of heating and cooling systems
A new district heat/future cooling network, distributing low-carbon heat to five buildings via underground pipework
A standout feature of the project is the creation of a ‘Living Lab’, providing real-world research opportunities for students, academics, and operational teams. By monitoring the performance of the new technologies, the Living Lab will generate valuable data and insights to support teaching, inform future decision-making, and enhance the campus’s long-term sustainability performance.
CPW is supporting the University of Wolverhampton across all three of its campuses as part of its wider decarbonisation strategy.
Our involvement includes technical advisory support, site engineering, and input into controls and overall decarbonisation strategy to ensure the systems operate efficiently and effectively once installed.
The Walsall Campus is the first of the University’s sites to undergo this transformation and is currently under construction, with completion anticipated in September.
It’s always inspiring to be part of events that not only showcase innovative decarbonisation projects, but also celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the built environment.
The WIBSE (Women in Building Services Engineering) Talk & tour is a great example, bringing professionals and organisations together in effort to promote greater diversity and inclusion within the industry, while supporting International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) – a global campaign that highlights the important role women play in shaping the future of engineering.
Reflecting on the day, our Associate, Marianna Ponikarovskaya said:
“It was a really inspiring event to be part of, especially in the lead up to Women in Engineering Day. WIBSE creates such an encouraging space to share experiences and celebrate the work women are doing across our industry.
“On a personal level, it’s been incredibly rewarding to be involved in the Walsall Campus project. We’re working with a highly professional project team which includes the University, Vital Energi and their specialists, and there’s a real sense of shared purpose in what we’re delivering. Seeing a project of this scale come together – and knowing the impact it will have in reducing carbon and supporting future generations through the Living Lab – makes it all the more meaningful.”
Collaboration across clients and partners remains key to delivering successful low-carbon solutions, and we are proud to support the University of Wolverhampton on this journey.
Photo from the day (by WIBSE): CPW Associate, Marianna Ponikarovskaya (bottom left), with guest attendees and team members from Vital Energi, BMSi, and the University of Wolverhampton.
To find out more about our work in decarbonisation and sustainable energy solutions, get in touch with our team.