Castle Rock Edinvar and Changeworks awarded decarbonisation funding
Funding to be used to retrofit electric battery storage and solar panels in 80 homes.
Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association, together with project partner Changeworks, has received a £415,000 grant award from the second round of the Scottish Government’s Decarbonisation Fund.
The funding will be used to retrofit electric battery storage and solar panels in 80 homes in a project that could see the technology specified as standard to meet energy efficiency standards in future homes.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart visited the housing association’s homes at the Thistle Foundation in Edinburgh to see the battery storage and solar panels that will be used.
He said: “A warm home that feels safe and secure gives people a greater sense of wellbeing.
“Social landlords are making excellent progress towards achieving the first Energy Efficiency Standard Social Standard for Housing, reporting that 85% of social rented homes already meet it and projecting 89% compliance by the 2020 milestone.”
Ben Dyer, Castle Rock Edinvar Technology and Innovation Lead, said: “Electrical storage has a significant part to play in the de-carbonisation of the national grid and increasing the potential of variable renewable generation.
“We will explore the opportunity to provide a flexible electricity tariff for our tenants, tackling fuel poverty and further maximising the benefits of domestic battery storage.
“Residents who do not have a technical capacity for solar PV could benefit from battery technology, allowing a shared benefit.”
Paul Thom, Changeworks Technical Director, said: “Changeworks is pleased to be bringing our experience and track record in delivering low carbon living to this innovative project which should deliver significant cost and carbon savings for tenants.
“As part of the delivery, we will carry out full monitoring and evaluation to explore the impact of the technologies and the outcomes for tenants.
“We look forward to sharing this knowledge with registered social landlords and stakeholders to build on this scheme, and others like it across the country.”
The proposed battery storage for the project is approximately 4.5kWh per property, totalling 675kWh. The combined technology will provide significant gains in the SAP Score/Rating and reductions in the Carbon Score for each property. The project will provide an early learning model for the social housing sector to consider as it works towards EESSH2 and its role in delivering an Energy Efficient Scotland.