Contractor Lindum and landscape architect Influence Landscape Planning and Design have completed works on a new test cell facility at Cranfield University, near Milton Keynes.
Developed as part of the Cranfield Hydrogen Integration Incubator (CH2i) project, the Cranfield Power & Propulsion Laboratories (CPPL) add to the University’s state-of-the-art research facilities and build on more than 50 years of expertise, research and development.
CPPL, which is located on the University’s campus next to Cranfield Airport, houses individual test cells for research, and will drive the development of new technologies for decarbonising aviation, focussing on the aerodynamic and thermodynamic integration of new power systems for aircraft. This includes the utilisation of sustainable aviation fuels.
The new facility will also be used for training a workforce urgently needed by industry, including those enrolled-on master and PhD courses at Cranfield.
The 1,000 sqm ft building comprises 10 lab spaces with control rooms and a workshop designed to facilitate advanced research to progress the future of clean energy.
Sustainable technologies include the installation of a highly efficient air source heat pump system to provide space heating and hot water generation, resulting in a 10.5% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 10% reduction in primary energy.
To meet funding requirements set by the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund, Lindum successfully delivered the project in 31-weeks.
The landscape works – which included hard and soft landscaping with a large wildflower bund to help screen views from the airfield - achieved a high level of 30% bio-diversity net gain on the site, surpassing the government’s mandatory 10% requirement and the University’s aim of 20%.
Kathryn Dunk, Principle Landscape Architect at Influence, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the University on the landscape element of the project and we are proud to have surpassed the biodiversity and net gain targets. Our landscape design has connected the new facility to the campus and created space for nature.”
Lindum Peterborough Managing Director, Darren King, said: “We are pleased to have delivered this important facility for Cranfield University, which will play a vital role in advancing clean aviation technologies and supporting the next generation of industry specialists.
“Meeting the tight programme and the high sustainability standards set for the project was a real team effort, and we particularly valued working closely with the landscape architects to help realise the University’s vision for a biodiverse, high-quality setting. We’re delighted that the finished building and surrounding landscape now provide an excellent environment for world-leading research, and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with both the University and Influence on a scheme that makes a meaningful contribution to future decarbonisation.”
Professor Vassilios Pachidis, Head of Centre for Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering at Cranfield University, said: “The new Cranfield Power and Propulsion Laboratories (CPPL) will help shape the future of flight. By solving the challenges around the aerodynamic and thermodynamic integration of advanced power and propulsion systems into aircraft, we will make aviation cleaner and more efficient.”
Other construction partners on the project included architect Anotherkind, project manager 3CProjects, cost advisor Gardiner Theobald, engineer DICE Consult and mechanical and electrical engineer Chord Consult.
