Bunhill 2 Energy Centre, the first project in the world to generate energy using excess heat from an underground train system, has won an environmental prize.
Announced on 11 November, the Environmental Prize at the New London Awards celebrates: “design strategies that minimise environmental impact…efficient use of materials, a low carbon footprint and innovation”.
Monica von Schmalensee, a member of the prize’s international jury, commented that the Centre sends “a very strong message to how we can reuse our energy”.
Bunhill 2 is an expansion of the Bunhill Heat and Power Network, introduced in 2012. Using an underground fan to extract warm air from the Northern line below, it heats water which is pumped into nearby buildings.
Alex Abbey, a partner at Cullinan Studio – the firm that designed the building – said they were “thrilled” with the recognition. “We feel truly honoured that we are in some small way helping our local community, as well as reducing carbon emissions and improving air-quality for our city.”
The “revolutionary” energy centre, which opened in March 2020, is built on a disused Tube station and incorporates references to this in its design – including its oxblood tiles and black enamel base.
As well as providing green electricity to the London Underground, the project adds 550 homes and a primary school to the existing network, giving it the potential to supply 2,200 homes with electricity.
For Abbey —and for Islington Council— the building paves the way for a greener future. He said infrastructure like Bunhill 2: “will become increasingly prevalent and necessary.”
The centre is a key part of Islington’s Vision 2030 Project, which also launched this spring and aims to make Islington carbon neutral by 2030. Islington Council tweeted that they were “extremely proud” and that this was a “real testament” to the Vision 2030 campaign.
Bunhill 2 continues to gain recognition. It has also been shortlisted for the Dezeen Award for infrastructure project of the year, which will be announced on 23 November.
