CIED ended in February 2019. This website is now archived and will be no longer updated.

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.

Housing and buildings theme icon

Projects

letters making up divest from fossil fuels held by people
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 meters
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?

thermal image of house
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.

hand wearing glove turning heating on
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?

builders at a building site
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?

Publications

Events

Past Event
The smart meter rollout: progress and challenges ahead
19 November, 2018 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Institution of Mechanical Engineers, One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London, SW1H 9JJ
Past Event
Community action addressing fuel poverty
1 May, 2018 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Jubilee G32
Past Event
Infrastructure Risk and Biography of Artefacts: Multiple Dynamics and Temporalities
17 April, 2018 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Jubilee G32
Past Event
Community action addressing fuel poverty
12 December, 2017 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Jubilee G32
Past Event
What psychology knows about energy conservation: from theory to practice
24 April, 2017 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Jubilee 155
Past Event
Warmer, Healthier and Fairer: Tackling Fuel Poverty
22 November, 2016 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Westminster, London
Past Event
CIED researchers speak at Green Lib Dems event on environment policy after Brexit
17 September, 2016 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Brighton