Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park has picked up a top award at a national ceremony.
The UK Science Park Association’s 40th anniversary awards, which celebrate the achievements of science parks across the country, presented Keele with the Building Environmental Sustainability and Innovation award, recognising the university’s role in addressing climate change and reducing environmental impact.
The award comes as the institution seeks further investment that would see the park more than triple in size.
Keele’s Science and Innovation Park is home to more than 50 organisations, ranging from globally-established businesses to high-growth start-ups, clustering around life sciences, energy and environment, and digital – and is estimated to add £75m a year to the regional economy.
It is the only facility of its kind to benefit from on-site renewable energy generation, provided by the 12,000 solar panels, two wind turbines, and industrial-sized battery which form the university’s low carbon energy generation park, created in partnership with low-carbon technology specialists Equans.
These on-site renewables generate up to 50 per cent of the university’s electricity requirements, saving approximately 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions across the campus and science park. In 2024 alone, Keele’s solar panels and wind turbines have generated almost 4,000,000 kWh of green energy.
The low carbon energy generation park is linked to a campus-wide Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) – a state-of-the-art, real-time energy management system designed and installed in partnership with Siemens.
Ann Pittard, director of Keele University Science and Innovation Park, said: “We are delighted that the Science and Innovation Park has been recognised in these awards. UKSPA’s membership includes some of the most renowned science parks in the world, and it was enough of an achievement to be shortlisted in three categories.
“We are particularly pleased to have been recognised for environmental sustainability in the built environment, which reflects the efforts of many people, teams and organisations to create a legacy from Keele’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator project.
“This has provided an environment for resident companies that is unique in the UK. Not only is there access to renewable energy generated on campus, supported by smart technologies to use that efficiently, but also academic expertise and student capacity in related areas for Science Park companies to draw on as they develop their own approaches to carbon reduction.
“This will continue to be at the forefront of our approach to the proposed expansion of the Science and Innovation Park over the coming years.”
