Across the UK, universities are redefining what it means to lead on sustainability. From heritage estates to research campuses, institutions are balancing ambitious net zero targets with rising energy costs and the need to keep spaces comfortable and operationally reliable.
While many are investing in renewables, heat pumps, and modern HVAC systems, the real opportunity lies in how energy is managed. Smarter demand-side innovation – including demand response and flexibility – is now helping higher education estates turn existing infrastructure into a strategic sustainability asset.
That’s where Voltalis comes in.
As a European leader in intelligent energy management, Voltalis helps buildings use less electricity when the grid is under pressure or wholesale prices spike, automatically, and without affecting comfort or performance. By connecting to electric heating, cooling, and hot water systems, Voltalis’ technology makes short, imperceptible adjustments that collectively deliver measurable reductions in consumption and carbon emissions. For universities, this means lower bills, verified Scope 2 savings, and enhanced resilience, all with no upfront investment or operational disruption.
At the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the benefits are clear. In partnership with Voltalis, over 100 student accommodation rooms were equipped with demand response technology in under 15 minutes per installation, with no rewiring or disturbance to students. Within six months, the university saw a 13% reduction in electricity use across two accommodation blocks, over 5,000 successful grid-support events, and zero comfort complaints.
“Since installing the Voltalis solution, we’ve achieved a 13% reduction in electricity use across our student accommodation, all without any changes in comfort or behaviour,” says Daniel Priddy, Head of Sustainability at the university. “That’s rare, especially in heritage buildings with complex infrastructure.”
This kind of operational flexibility is reshaping how universities approach both energy management and long-term resilience. Rather than relying solely on infrastructure upgrades or major capital projects, estates teams can now achieve immediate impact through smart, data-driven control. Demand-side flexibility complements on-site renewables and storage, ensuring that electricity is consumed when it’s cleanest, cheapest, and least carbon-intensive.
As the UK grid becomes increasingly renewable and variable, flexibility isn’t just a sustainability measure, it’s a shield against volatility. By turning campus systems into active grid participants, universities are not only cutting emissions but actively supporting national energy stability.
The role of demand response in higher education will take centre stage at the UHEI Conference & Exhibition (Birmingham, 25–26 November), where Voltalis’ UK Managing Director Dr. Randall Bowen will moderate the panel “Beyond compliance: how smarter energy strategies are protecting budgets and advancing net zero in higher education.”
Joining him on stage will be:
- Daniel Priddy, Head of Sustainability, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
- Rachael Hanmer-Dwight, Head of Environmental Sustainability & Energy Services, University of Liverpool
- Stephen Creighton, Head of Member Services, The Energy Consortium (TEC)
Together, they’ll explore how intelligent energy management, operational innovation, and cross-sector collaboration can help universities move beyond compliance, turning estates into flexible, future-ready assets.
For the higher education sector, the message is clear: meeting sustainability goals doesn’t have to mean deep retrofits or difficult trade-offs. With smarter systems, better data, and proven demand-side technology, universities can achieve real progress – protecting budgets today while building the low-carbon campuses of tomorrow.
Because when campuses can think, flex, and adapt, they don’t just meet their targets – they lead the transition.
All together better.
Learn more at voltalis.co.uk
This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.