Sustainable Heating Solutions

Lowering carbon emissions created by LPG boiler at the University of Otago

Abstract

This project's purpose was to look at the LPG boilers on campus and find a low carbon solution which will in turn help the  University of Otago to reach their goal of net zero by 2030.

This tackles the problem of climate change by reducing the emissions that are associated with the LPG boilers and the problems associated with it are becoming more and more apparent each day. This project is helping the University of Otago decrease its impact on the environment by reducing the amount of LPG emissions by 36%. To do this I have found a more sustainable solution to the LPG boiler by choosing electrification instead. Electrification allows us to decrease carbon emissions with the electricity used in New Zealand today which consists of 80% renewable energy sources.The data from previous years showed that consumption of LPG is much greater than what was expected due to a last min change in the building. Thus, my job is to research the best option for an LPG boiler replacement in the Eccles building as now the  building has been operating for long enough that it is now known what the changes are, as well as the resources now becoming available for this project to be undertaken.
By looking at the requirements of the building, I was able to see which energy sources were appropriate and was able to find the right size energy source that the Eccles building needed to install. I was able to collaborate with the Department of Physics, Sustainability Office and Property services to get the relevant information needed which allowed me to make an informed decision on what the best outcome would be.

The Key impact of this research was to implement new alternative will reduce emissions at Otago University so they can achieve their goal of being net zero by 2030.

Supervised by: Dr Arjan Abeynaike (Physics Department) & Craig Cliff (sustainability Office), Univerity of Otago
Scholarship funded by: Te Ngaru Paewhenua scholarship