New Centre to Improve Energy Efficiency in Cities

Edinburgh and Glasgow hold, proportionally, the highest density of flats in the UK (68% and 73% respectively, versus 46% in London, and 19% on average across the UK). The new Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB) will investigate how to improve energy efficiency in these high-density areas, significantly lowering carbon emissions, thanks to a £4.5 million funding boost from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). In total the Centre has pulled together £5.6 million worth of investment, from education, the public sector, industry, and the community.

The Centre is led by University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, West of Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, and BE-ST – Scotland’s construction innovation centre, alongside 58 partner organisations.

It is estimated that Glasgow and Edinburgh combine could require around £35 billion worth of investment to help achieve net zero goals over the next 25 years, to implement low-carbon retrofitting and construction. The Centre will particularly look at buildings that house some of the UK’s lowest earners, who often spend a higher proportion of their income on energy bills, but also experience more of the problems associated with cold and damp housing.

Trials will include sustainable construction methods, low-carbon heating technologies, and natural insulation materials. Recommendations from these trials will be shared with industry and government, informing future action to achieve net zero targets.

The Centre is one of five Green Economy Centres to be funded by UKRI, with an aim of boosting green manufacturing, jobs and skills across the country. They will also partner with schools and colleges to train students in low-carbon retrofitting.