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Cheetah - Universities Case Studies
Key Results (Average per University):
- 187,000 kWh saved annually
- 42,100 kg (42.1 tonnes) CO₂ saved per year
- £46,700 annual savings
- 54% reduction in fan energy consumption
- Equivalent to annual electricity usage of 15 UK homes
Universities face increasing pressure to achieve Net Zero targets while maintaining high-functioning catering operations. Students want eco-friendly and sustainable offerings, requiring institutions to create sustainable environments beyond just food and drink choices.
Commercial kitchens are energy-intensive, with ventilation systems running at full speed regardless of cooking activity. As sustainability commitments grow stronger and targets continue to be pushed forward, universities must find smarter solutions to cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency.
The Challenge
University catering operates on varied schedules - busy term-time breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, plus conferencing facilities during holidays and weekends. Kitchen ventilation systems typically run for extended hours to ensure efficient extraction at all times, regardless of actual cooking demand. With corporate pressure to meet Net Zero goals and demonstrate measurable progress, universities need technology that delivers immediate, verifiable savings while supporting long-term sustainability commitments.
The Solution
Cheetah demand-controlled ventilation was installed across university campuses, starting with trial installations in single kitchens. The system detects cooking activity and adjusts fan speeds automatically -high speeds during busy service, reduced speeds during quieter periods, minimum speeds when no cooking occurs. This approach matches ventilation to actual demand rather than running constantly at full power. Cheetah integrates with existing BMS systems and delivers immediate savings from installation.
The Results
Trial installations exceeded expectations, delivering greater savings than predicted. Following success, Cheetah was rolled out across entire campuses. Average results per university: 187,000 kWh saved annually, 42.1 tonnes of CO₂ reduced, and £46,700 in cost savings. The 54% reduction in fan energy consumption translates to the equivalent annual electricity usage of 15 UK homes - or driving 105,000 miles in a petrol car, approximately four times around the Earth.
We've implemented Cheetah at Warwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham, with plans to support more campuses in achieving their Net Zero goals. Energy consumption and carbon emissions continue to decline year after year as systems optimise performance.
Key Benefits
Universities achieve immediate, measurable progress toward Net Zero targets while demonstrating commitment to sustainability that students demand. The trial-first approach allows institutions to prove savings before campus-wide rollout, reducing investment risk. Automated operation requires no manual intervention, and savings compound annually as energy prices rise.