Diamond Light Source Powers Up with Solar Panels
Recently installed solar panels that cover the entire roof of Diamond Light Source are now fully operational. Diamond’s roof covers an area of 32,000m2 which offers an exceptional opportunity to maximise energy efficiency through these panels.
The energy generated by the solar panels is an annual supply of 2.3GWh/y. This output amounts to around 5% of the facility’s total annual energy consumption and will mean yearly savings of some half a million pounds. This will additionally contribute to energy savings of more than £2M per year.
Diamond Light Source is a world-leading synchrotron, 10,000 times more powerful than a standard microscope. Used for both academic and industrial research, this stadium-sized machine is the only one of its kind in the UK and is based at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
As one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, the synchrotron harnesses the power of electrons to produce intensely bright light that scientists can use to study anything from fossils to jet engines, viruses to vaccines, helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.
Since Diamond’s construction in 2005, the organisation has enhanced the efficiency of existing equipment and limited the amount of equipment needed to run without affecting machine operation.
These steps are central to Diamond’s prioritisation of sustainability in all areas of the construction and operation of the facility. Areas of focus have been waste reduction, use of low-carbon electricity supply where possible and the introduction of photovoltaic panels.
The facility has also made additional significant advances in energy efficiency, with implementations ranging from motion sensors on lighting and LED-based light bulbs to variable speed drives on pumping equipment. These initiatives have achieved ongoing electricity savings of over £2 million a year.
Diamond fully endorses the Government’s ambition to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, which is aligned with the Paris Agreement, to address climate change effectively.
As well as operating in a sustainable way, Diamond’s scientists and users greatly contribute to global research and technological development in energy efficiency.
Gianluigi Botton, CEO of Diamond Light Source, said:
“The completed solar panel installation demonstrates our commitment to lowering the carbon footprint of our world-changing science. This is significant in the high-tech, specialised research and development sector that Diamond operates in. The Government’s Net Zero ambition will require substantial additional investment, but we are working to develop an achievable roadmap for this. Installing solar panels is one of the many steps needed and will not only provide considerable monetary savings, but also emphasises our aim to move towards more sustainable operations.”
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