An installation of 720 solar panels on the roof of the new state-of-the-art Broad Marsh Car Park, Bus Station and Central Library is helping to power the building and support Nottingham’s carbon neutral targets.
The array of panels and a host of other smart technology mean the building is playing its part in Nottingham’s ambition to become the UK first carbon neutral city by 2028, as well as making customer journeys easier.
Motorists with electric vehicles using the new car park can charge up at one of 81 charge points, believed to be the largest number in one location in the whole of the UK. Other features include:
· A vehicle management system which consists of electronic signs and lights showing available parking spaces, reducing vehicle movements and congestion
· Sensor controlled safety doors to the bus concourse. Doors will only open and close when the bus is in the bay, ensuring passenger safety, helping to retain a warm waiting area, and reducing exposure to fumes
· Sensor controlled ventilation system which adapts with the car park ventilation requirements, removing harmful fumes
· Charging infrastructure for buses to cater for future requirements
· Highly intelligent and energy efficient lighting
· Energy Performance Certificate ‘A’ rated
· ‘A’ rated efficient boilers
· Use of highly recyclable materials, including steel, concrete and glass
· Use of long life and low maintenance materials for the deck coatings and bus station
· Changes taking place around the new building will create new pedestrianised spaces and introduce bus-only sections of road by moving traffic away from the city centre, as well as increasing planting and greenery in the area.
Councillor Sally Longford, Portfolio Holder for Energy and Environment, said: “We’re matching our ambitions for a carbon neutral city by 2028 with actions across the city, and these solar panels are another element of that. This will be our third largest solar PV system, after Nottingham Tennis Centre and Harvey Hadden Sports Village.
“The Broadmarsh redevelopment area is a key component of our carbon neutral ambitions, removing four lanes of traffic from the area, installing electric vehicle charging points, creating greener public spaces and our electric and biogas buses and electric taxis means we are creating a far more pleasant and much more environmentally friendly entrance to Nottingham compared to just a few years ago.”