A key research area for the Institute is exploring how the existing UK housing stock can be made more sustainable through the retrofitting of renewable energy systems, energy efficiency technologies and carbon reduction measures.

The Institute has successfully supported the setting up of over 30 consortia which developed bids to secure Stage 1 funding from the Technology Strategy Board's ‘Retrofit for the Future' programme. The Institute worked in collaboration with local authorities and the entire ‘green supply' chain to facilitate the development of the winning sustainable technology approaches.  

The UK Government's challenging aim to reduce carbon emission by 80% by 2050 can only be achieved through a steep change in behaviour and fresh thinking. The ‘Retrofit for the Future' programme works towards this goal by delivering 100 ‘whole house' eco-retrofit trials. The 30 winning consortia are submitting feasibility studies for ten trial projects in Thames Gateway, eight within the London Boroughs and 22 in the Greater South East.

The Institute is continuing to work with many of these consortia to prepare detailed feasibility studies. This will then form the basis for the teams to apply for Stage 2 funding; each successful team will then deliver an installation programme valued at £150,000 in the first half of 2010.

The wide range of design proposals and house types involved - covering building physics/energy efficiency, renewable technologies and the economics of ‘whole house' interventions - will generate significant data and knowledge for future application. It will also kick start local ‘green supply' chains across the country, unlocking regeneration, employment and skills opportunities in local areas.

Monitoring and measurement is a key component of the trial, with the most effective innovations being used to form a nationwide retrofit programme, designed to help combat climate change. The results will also inform future policy and the findings will be disseminated to the wider academic and business community to guide future sustainable developments.

Contact Terry.McGivern@instituteforsustainability.co.uk to find out more about the eco-retrofit programme.