Housing and buildings
Our research investigates innovations that could help to deliver more energy efficient buildings, including whole house retrofits, zero carbon new build homes and smart meters. We are also interested in how new business models – in particular Energy Service Contracts – might help to deliver reductions in energy demand in this sector. CIED’s research can provide insights into the policy instruments, business models, finance mechanisms and intermediary activities that are necessary to deliver a step-change in energy demand reduction in buildings.
Projects
Reorienting investments and divesting from fossil fuel assets
How can the investment community be reoriented away from investments in fossil fuels and towards investment in low carbon options, especially energy efficiency and energy demand measures? This project is researching the challenges of financing a transition to a low-carbon and low-energy demand economy, and the implications for the financial sector, government and civil society.
Smart meter rollout in the UK: Dynamics of expectations
Smart meters have taken on a prominent role in the UK government’s energy demand reduction plans and discourse over the past decade. What expectations have been associated with smart metering roll out and how have they changed over time? How do expectations link with governance?
The diffusion of energy service contracting
Energy service contracts involve the outsourcing of energy-related services to a third party, or contractor. This project aims to identify the factors underpinning successful business models, to identify whether, how and under what conditions such models could diffuse more widely, and to assess their potential for reducing energy demand in order to provide recommendations for public policy.
The Fuel Bill Drop Shop Project
Energy shops provide advice about energy issues to the public. Does advice through energy shops work, with whom and under what circumstances?
Low Energy Housing Innovations and the role of Intermediaries (LEHII)
How have innovations in whole house retrofits and zero carbon new build houses developed in the UK? What role do intermediaries play in facilitating and governing transitions to low energy housing?