Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Cambridge, United Kingdom

The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute is a department of the University of Cambridge and is funded by Cancer Research UK, a charitable organisation. The Centre offers state-of-the-art facilities for research by 450 staff and students, enabling them to pursue breakthroughs in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer.

The research facility opened in 2006, with advanced laboratory spaces across six floors. In 2013, the building transitioned to the University’s management, which has since driven a major sustainability initiative aligned with ISO 50001 energy management standards.

Applications Covered:

The Challenge

After two decades of operation, the building’s fluorescent lighting had become inefficient and costly to maintain. Due to increasing scarcity, replacement ballast components were as expensive as new LED fittings.

Furthermore, the facility faced the need to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint as part of the University’s sustainability strategy. Complex site conditions, including specialist research lighting requirements in the basement and restricted ceiling space, added design and installation challenges.

With support from the University’s Sustainability Team, the facility secured a £1.1 million grant in 2021 to upgrade its lighting systems to energy-efficient LED.

Having evaluated multiple suppliers, the University selected Thorlux Lighting because of its strong technical support and custom engineering capabilities. Its proven product quality and powerful SmartScan lighting control systems were also key factors in securing the project.

The Solution

Installation began in 2023, with work progressing floor by floor across six levels. Thorlux collaborated closely with the University’s in-house engineering team and their trusted electrical contractors. Custom ceiling bezels were designed to resolve mounting issues at certain locations.

Thorlux supplied a full suite of luminaires fitted with SmartScan wireless controls, providing automated emergency testing and reporting, with programmable daylight simulation for specialised research areas.

To date, Thorlux has supplied approximately 2,419 luminaires, which are connected via SmartScan Platform 2. Besides its comprehensive testing and monitoring capabilities, SmartScan also provides future readiness for occupancy detection and space utilisation analysis using its wireless communication mesh technology.

Completion is expected by late 2026, with much of the building already running on SmartScan luminaires. Thorlux engineers provided commissioning support, ensuring smooth integration. Already, the University has seen significant energy and maintenance cost savings, with enhanced lighting quality and improved emergency compliance management via SmartScan automatic testing and reporting.

65 %

Energy saving

63.75 tonnes CO_₂e

Thorlux products are excellent, both in build quality and what they can do. SmartScan is a really powerful tool, and the support we’ve had has been excellent.

Jack Miles

Deputy Engineering Manager, University of Cambridge