Working alongside the college, we developed a targeted plan to quantify the existing energy demand, identify opportunities for easy wins and day-one energy demand reductions, calculate the potential for on-site generation, and appraise options for replacing the existing heating infrastructure with low-carbon alternatives through evaluation of the existing building fabric performance and identification of opportunities for fabric improvement.

This approach led to the identification of key targets and a targeted plan, from which the college could develop an internal roadmap for the decarbonisation and degasification of its estate. The project helped identify a range of suitable projects, varying in complexity and cost. The college has since utilised the study's outcomes and recommendations to plan a series of decarbonisation projects for implementation.

As an outcome of the masterplan project, Darwin College has been able to plan and apply for funding from government-backed decarbonisation schemes. Following a successful PSDS Phase 3B application, JGC were appointed to deliver a heat replacement and decarbonisation scheme at Frank Young House, one of Darwin College’s off-site hostels. We have since assisted the college in achieving further PSDS Stage 4A funding for a separate retrofit project at another of the college’s off-site hostels. The college also received LCSF funding in 2023 to develop a proposal to reduce energy use and decarbonise its main site in central Cambridge. JGC are appointed to provide engineering services for developing a centralised river source heat pump system to replace the existing main gas boiler infrastructure and centralised heating systems at the college’s site on Silver Street.