Living Lab: Eden Campus
Eden Campus at the University of St Andrews is the physical ecosystem designed to drive transformative innovation, translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications, and facilitate effective knowledge transfer.
Working in partnership with the University, St Andrews Innovation and industry, the campus offers the space to scale technology, grow business and transform the once historic local landmark.
Recognising its potential as a centre for innovation and sustainability, the University acquired the site in 2010 and have invested considerably into renewable energy technologies and partnerships in support of the ambitious goal to reach net zero by 2035.
Power-To-X: Driving Carbon Reductions and Innovation
A key upcoming milestone is securing funding for integrated carbon capture systems. These systems will capture live industrial CO₂ emissions from Eden Mill’s Distillery and the on-site biomass energy centre, creating a unique demonstration of circular carbon management. Completion is expected in early 2026.
A purpose-built research and development laboratory will anchor the site, enabling collaboration with technology developers in hydrogen and clean energy. The facility’s infrastructure – including an electrolyser, hydrogen storage, and refuelling station – will support end-to-end hydrogen production and distribution.
UN SDGs: 7, 9, 13, 17
Innovation Yard: A Platform for Inclusive Growth
The Innovation Yard, supported by Scottish Enterprise, is transforming a former chipping yard into a vibrant space for sustainable business development. Scheduled to open to tenants in Autumn 2025, the site will host modular pop-up units tailored for incubators, start-ups, and innovators.
Focused on the low-carbon economy, the Innovation Yard promotes inclusive growth by offering accessible infrastructure to early-stage companies, including those from underrepresented groups.
UN SDGs: 8, 9, 10, 11
D’Arcy Thompson Stretch Dome Simulator: sustainaVERSE™
The D’Arcy Thompson Simulator Centre has advanced its sustainaVERSE™ platform, now available in alpha release via the Microsoft Store. Built on Unreal Engine, the system enables immersive, GIS-aware visualisation of energy and environmental scenarios, supporting evidence-based decision-making for local and regional sustainability planning.
Internationally, sustainaVERSE Africa workshops in Madagascar and Mauritius are shaping five early-stage projects in photovoltaic and agri-voltaic energy, blue economy initiatives, and ecological restoration.
UN SDGs: 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17