The Diocese of Blackburn
Blackburn
Lancaster, Morecambe, Garstang, Blackpool, Chorley, Preston, Pendle, Burnley, Whalley
Education
Decarbonisation Strategy, Feasibility and Design
Energy
Decarbonisation Plans, Building Energy Modelling
MEP Design
RIBA Stage 2 Mechanical and Electrical Design Services
Mantis was engaged by the Diocese of Blackburn to support the Church of England’s Net Zero 2030 strategy, delivering over 180 school heat decarbonisation plans across the North West. This involved detailed site surveys, building energy modelling, and customised decarbonisation strategies for each school.
Project Scope and Objectives
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Conduct detailed site surveys for over 180 schools to capture building fabric, plant, and energy systems.
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Develop dynamic building energy models to simulate performance and identify carbon reduction opportunities.
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Produce individual heat decarbonisation plans for each school, detailing cost-effective interventions and pathways to Net Zero.
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Advised on Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) eligibility and supported funding applications, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
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Implement Monitoring & Verification (M&V) systems to track post-installation energy performance, carbon emissions, and savings.
Technical Delivery
Mantis Energy’s technical team delivered a full suite of services to ensure each school had a robust decarbonisation plan:
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180x Heat Decarbonisation Plans detailing recommended low-carbon heating technologies and energy-saving measures.
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Dynamic Building Energy Modelling to simulate energy use and inform design decisions.
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Decarbonisation Analysis & Reporting including energy, carbon, and cost projections.
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M&E Design for decarbonisation projects, integrating heating, hot water, and renewable energy systems.
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Monitoring & Verification Plans to validate system performance post-installation.
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Specialist Monitoring Equipment Installation and online dashboards for real-time energy tracking.
Monitoring & Verification
Following the completion of the initial Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) 1 scheme, Mantis Energy implemented M&V services across the newly installed systems:
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Specialist meters and sensors were installed on heating, hot water, and renewable systems.
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Energy use and carbon emissions were tracked, analysed, and benchmarked against initial heat decarbonisation plan estimates.
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Data is accessible 24/7 via an online dashboard, enabling schools to monitor performance and identify efficiency opportunities.
Heat Decarbonisation Plans, Mechanical Design & Low-Carbon Interventions
Mantis delivered Heat Decarbonisation Plans (HDPs) and mechanical designs including:
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Replacement of end-of-life heating systems with an air source heat pump
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Integration of fabric improvements including roof, wall, and window upgrades
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Phased, operationally sensitive low-carbon interventions
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Detailed specifications and investment recommendations to support Church of England Net Zero 2030 targets
Each plan provided actionable guidance for implementing low-carbon capital projects
Outcome & Impact
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Delivery of 180+ technically robust heat decarbonisation plans, supporting the Diocese’s Net Zero 2030 objectives.
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Successful Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) funding applications for 27 schools, unlocking capital for low-carbon upgrades.
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Enhanced operational efficiency and measurable carbon reductions through M&V.
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Creation of a scalable framework for future decarbonisation projects across the North West.
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Schools equipped with real-time energy monitoring, empowering informed energy management decisions.
Contact us to find out more
If you are thinking about making your home more energy efficient or you have grand plans to build your own net zero carbon home then you have come to the right place.