Royal Northern College of Music

Key information
Scheme:
Phase 1 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Technologies used:
Air source heat pump, Solar PV, Building Energy Management System (BEMS), Roof insulation, Cavity wall insulation, Heat recovery, Distribution pipework improvements, Energy Efficient Chillers, Energy efficient combi-oven
Region:
North West
Client type:
Higher education institution
Working with Salix
In perfect harmony
As part of the Phase 1 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Greater Manchester Combined Authority was awarded £78.2m in government funding to reduce carbon emissions across a wide range of public buildings throughout the city. The Royal Northern College of Music will use £6.4m of this grant funding. It is estimated the technologies installed will reduce carbon emissions by 349 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority is the lead and accountable body for the region’s successful award of £78m. Our scheme brings together 16 public bodies from across the region
Manchester’s vision for the future
Greater Manchester Combined Authority combined project comprised of all ten local authorities, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, Greater Manchester Police, Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester college. This was heavily supported by their local network operator Electricity North West. This has allowed Greater Manchester Combined Authority to deliver an estimated reduction of 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum for the next 25 years, totalling 125, 000 tonnes over the life of the programme from low carbon retrofit measures to their public buildings.
The project at the Royal Northern College of Music is part of Greater Manchester Combined Authorities’ commitment to the Manchester Tyndall Project, which has set all districts and boroughs targets to be net zero by 2050 across all public buildings. Tyndall Centre Manchester researchers are creating a plan for concerts and tours to have zero emissions, or as close to zero as possible.
The band Massive Attack approached the scientists to find solutions for the music industry’s live performances. The Tyndall Centre’s research shows live concerts and performances generate 405,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. 34% of which comes from the venue and 33% from audience travel. Band travel, accommodation, merchandise, and promotions contribute to 33% of emissions. The research will be looking at how to reduce the amount of energy used during concerts and in moving musicians, crews and sets between different venues and cities, as well as the impact audiences have.
Estimated Savings
£6.4m
Total grant value for Royal Northern College of Music
£78.2m
Total grant value for Greater Manchester Combined Authority
349
Annual carbon savings tCO2e*
February 2022. Pictured is Dominic Wood, Environment and Operations Manager at the Royal Northern College of Music.
*tonnes of carbon dioxide, calculated using Green Book emissions factors for electricity published by the government.