Digital?Retrofit Enabler?at?Meadows?Estate (DREaMEs)

Abstract

There is an urgent unmet need in the UK social housing sector for more effective, affordable digital methodologies for delivering energy efficiency retrofit programmes, at a faster pace and greater scale than currently possible.

Public bodies working to "build back better" post COVID-19 also need solutions that combine improved energy efficiency results with visible socio-economic benefits (jobs, wellbeing, inclusion) as part of neighbourhood sustainable recovery plans.

The **Digital Retrofit Enabler at Meadows Estate (DREaMEs)** project will research and prototype a practical, affordable solution to meet this combined challenge. Crucially this will be done in close collaboration with two project "customers" - London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) and Places for People (PfP). Both will play an active role in R&D during Feasibility Phase 1 and the demonstration of the prototype solution on the Hounslow Meadows Estate in Phase 2 - a flagship project for LHB and PfP.

DREaMEs integrated solution will deliver:

* Transformation of existing asset management capability via Digital Twin technology, linking building models dynamically with real-time data, creating estate-level digital data sets for housing assets and defining long-term retrofit plan of works through multi-step 'Pathways to Net Zero' tool-sets.
* Logic framework for measuring social, economic and environmental impacts on the local economy of a coordinated approach to greening homes.
* Skills and training standards to support sustainable green economy job creation
* Business/financial models that speed up delivery of retrofits and unlock new investment options for budget-constrained public bodies

DREaMEs prototype will demonstrate:

* integration of real-time data and survey intelligence into PfP business systems
* actionable insights into local recovery factors for asset and place management teams
* capacity for proactive delivery of targeted services to PfP residents
* larger scale interventions for green retrofit than possible currently

Linking to Skills Academy and HE/FE establishments will deliver at local level the right skills at the right time, avoiding lag often encountered with technology developments. New green roles will be defined.

Several commercialisation opportunities are envisaged for the end of Phase 2\.

Lead organisation -- Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) -- an independent RTO working with innovators in industry, government, academia and research to deliver the innovative products, services and value chains required to transform the UK energy system. Technology partners -- Sero and Studio Victoria -- provide advanced tools for data survey/pathways and Digital Twins development. Expert consultants Frontier Economics will research and design the benefits mapping system. Gemserv are specialists in Green Finance/business modelling.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

ENERGY SYSTEMS CATAPULT LIMITED £59,798 £ 59,798
 

Participant

INNOVATE UK

Publications

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