THE University of Bradford, already one of the greenest Universities in the UK, is working toward becoming completely self-sufficient.

A mixture of green energy production, the refurbishment of old buildings, using green technology in new builds and a programme to raise awareness of being environmentally friendly has led to energy consumption plummeting at the city centre campus.

The library building, built in the 1970s, has gone from having an E energy rating in 2008 to its current A rating.

The University has saved £7 million in utility costs since 2007, reduced water consumption by almost a quarter since 2009 and lowered gas consumption by 11 per cent since 2005.

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It is spending less on utility bills than it did ten years ago, despite prices rising 85 per cent over the same period.

The University now intends to use a new Government grant towards building a "smart grid" to power many of the campus buildings, including the Student's Union building, and help the University beat its target of halving its carbon footprint by 2020.

The grid will work out where electricity is needed in a group of buildings and automatically distribute it in such a way to reduce wasted energy.

Estates manager Russell Smith said: "We wanted something for the University that was green but also sustainable. The turn around has been a huge team effort. It is a bit of a cliché, but we say sustainability is in our DNA.

"Making the new buildings environmentally friendly is straight forward, it is the existing buildings that are more challenging."

He said the achievement of the University was nationally recognised and something Bradford should be proud of.

Its sustainability ethos can be seen across the campus, with car parks made using the rubble of flattened University buildings and vegetable and herb gardens where staff and students can pick food.

Mark Wrigley, the establishment's engineering team manager, said it was good that the the campus had been recognised with so many awards.

"It is not just about self promotion, it is showing members of the team that people recognise their work. It is also a legacy for the University," he said.

"There have been a number of projects, some of them significant, but that doesn't mean they are more important than the small measures. They are all having an impact.

"There is this idea that all this is a big investment, but as long as you have a good business case you also make fantastic financial savings."

The team said the key to its success was having the students and staff on board from the start.

Energy officer Lyn Ha said: "We wouldn't have had the results we have had if it wasn't for the engagement of the staff and the students."