- The School of Biosciences is cutting energy use by optimising its fleet of ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, which are among the most energy-intensive lab equipment
- Raising freezer temperatures from -80°C to -70°C has already led to energy savings of over 20%, with no impact on sample preservation
- By replacing older freezers and consolidating storage, the school plans to reduce its freezer fleet by 12 units, cutting energy consumption by nearly 50%
- A pilot replacement and consolidation project will replace five old, inefficient freezers with four new ones, demonstrating the feasibility of cold storage consolidation before attempting this across the whole school
The School of Biosciences’ Sustainability Committee has been working on a project to reduce the energy use of ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, which are among the most energy-intensive pieces of lab equipment. These freezers, usually set to -80°C, can use as much electricity as several homes combined. The project aims to reduce the energy consumption of cold storage and improve working practices around these freezers, whilst better protecting the samples stored within.
One of the most significant steps taken so far is raising the set temperatures from -80°C to -70°C across the fleet. This simple adjustment mirrors the action of other research labs across the globe, and has resulted in energy savings of over 20% without compromising sample preservation.
In addition to this adjustment, the project has identified further opportunities for reducing energy consumption by replacing old, inefficient freezers and consolidating storage. A provisional programme of replacement and consolidation indicates that replacing old freezers and shrinking the fleet by 12 units could cut energy use by nearly 50%, an energy saving equivalent to that of 67 homes annually, whilst only reducing available storage space by 16%. This consolidation would be facilitated by research groups clearing out old samples and ensuring that storage space is used more efficiently, and moving to a system of sharing freezers.
To explore the viability of these large-scale changes, the group has secured central University funding for a small-scale pilot project that will introduce four new energy-efficient freezers in the place of five old ones in one section of the School. This initiative aligns with the University’s broader sustainability goals, furthering steps towards the University’s goal to be net-zero on campus by 2030, and demonstrates the potential for large-scale energy savings across campus.
The project’s impact has extended beyond the University, with two members, Louis Garnham and Jenna-Rae Clark, showcasing the team’s work at the annual Technician Partnership Conference in June. Following this presentation, the group has provided expert advice to the Laboratory Sustainability Officer at the University of Liverpool. With around 450 ULT freezers in use at Liverpool, the guidance from the University of Sheffield will have a significant impact on their laboratory-based energy consumption.
Louis Garnham, Environmental Projects Coordinator in the Estates and Facilities Management Team at the University, said: “This project shows that even small changes, like raising freezer temperatures by just 10 degrees, can make a massive difference to our energy consumption, helping us take steps towards wider sustainability goals, without compromising the integrity of our research.”
Check out the video created by student intern Rosalie Griffiths for more insights into the project.