Officially opened today, CEREB — the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings — is a new rooftop facility at London South Bank University funded by HEFCE, the London Development agency and industry partners M&E Sustainability.
A multi-million pound project, in partnership with City and Kingston Universities, it forms a specialised teaching, research and demonstration facility for low carbon technologies in the built environment. Located at roof level of LSBU's brand new K2 teaching building, and with renewable features of its own, the Centre is at the forefront of low carbon building design. It will demonstrate numerous technologies, monitor real carbon savings and show practicing engineers what solutions work best and where.
Glass floor panels offer a view of air handling units and switchable glazing on the plant room, enabling students and visitors to see the building in action.
This is the first centre of its kind to be located in an urban setting with a dedicated space providing opportunities to research and develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly technologies for urban buildings. Research into alternative energy resources has been undertaken to date but often occurs in a more rural environment. Low carbon and low energy design is becoming very important, says CEREB, and it is essential that the UK has high-quality facilities to teach and research the developing industry.
