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Building Reserve Funds: a workable model for Scotland

The MCS Foundation funded research by Under One Roof to explore how building reserve funds could support the transition to clean heating for flats in Scotland.

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Retrofit supply chain pilot study

Carbon Co-Op has set up a partnership with Manchester City Council to pilot an area based whole house retrofit scheme in Levenshulme, Manchester, which takes a street-by-street approach and is funded through grants or 0% loans.

Partnering with Manchester City Council to pilot an area based whole house retrofit scheme

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Centre for Sustainable Energy – community engagement for renewable energy transition

The MCS Foundation funded the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to deliver the Community Engagement for Renewable Energy Transition project, supporting meaningful local involvement in the rollout of renewable energy.

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Retrofit Somerset – Leading the Way to a Greener Future

Over 250,000 homes in Somerset are needing energy-efficient upgrade. Retrofit Somerset is driving a community-led, not-for-profit solution to meet this challenge through cutting carbon emissions and creating warmer, more sustainable homes.

Retrofit Somerset is driving a community-led, not-for-profit project aiming to cut carbon emissions and create warmer, more sustainable homes.

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University of Oxford – Sustainable Heat Insights for a Fast and Fair Transition to Net Zero

The University of Oxford aimed to identify adopters of heat pumps and track changes and differences in use patterns before and after installation.

The University of Oxford aimed to identify adopters of heat pumps and track changes and differences in use patterns before and after installation.

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Ambleside to Zero (AtoZ)

The Ambleside to Zero (AtoZ) initiative is an ambitious community-led project aimed at transitioning the town of Ambleside towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

The Ambleside to Zero (AtoZ) initiative is an ambitious community-led project aimed at transitioning the town of Ambleside towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

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Big solar co-op

The Big Solar Co-op project is laying the groundwork for a sustainable future by harnessing the power of community-driven solar energy.

The Big Solar Co-op project is laying the groundwork for a sustainable future by harnessing the power of community-driven solar energy.

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The Low-Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship

​The Green Finance Institute (GFI) aims to establish Property Linked Finance (PLF) in the UK. 

The UK’s first ever apprenticeship dedicated to low-carbon heating, including heat pumps and heat networks, is getting underway across the UK.

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Green Finance Institute​ developing Property Linked Finance

​The Green Finance Institute (GFI) aims to establish Property Linked Finance (PLF) in the UK. 

​The Green Finance Institute (GFI) aims to establish Property Linked Finance (PLF) in the UK. 

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Local Area Retrofit Accelerator (LARA)

Development of the Local Area Retrofit Accelerator has been led and funded by the MCS Foundation, a charity whose vision is to make every UK home carbon-free. LARA is a collaboration between the MCS Foundation and Ashden, Connected Places Catapult, National Retrofit Hub and the UK Green Building Council. 

The MCS Foundation is working with Local Authorities and Combined Authorities who are wanting to develop a Local Area Retrofit plan.

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Getting Gen-Z into retrofit and renewables jobs

This brief report sets out the findings of research on ‘What Gen-Z want from a Green Job’ conducted by the market research agency Savanta on behalf of the MCS Foundation.

This brief report sets out the findings of research on ‘What Gen-Z want from a Green Job’ conducted by the market research agency Savanta on behalf of the MCS Foundation.

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Green Schools

Green Schools pilot project working with Schools in the London Borough of Hackney to to create plans to reduce their carbon emissions and move towards net zero.

Working with Schools in Hackney to to create plans to reduce their carbon emissions and move towards net zero

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Heat pumps and battery storage training

Working with GTEC Training to develop relevant learning outcomes and MCS training packages for heat pumps and battery storage.

Developing learning outcomes and MCS training packages for heat pumps and battery storage

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The Community Energy Revolution

Supporting the Local Electricity Bill drafted by  Power for People which aims to make community energy a practical reality.

Supporting the Local Electricity Bill to make community energy a practical reality

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Accelerating Zero Carbon Heat in Scotland

WWF Scotland project assessing how regulation and incentives could be combined to rapidly accelerate the roll-out of zero and low-carbon heating in Scotland.

Assessing how regulation and incentives could be combined to rapidly accelerate the roll-out of zero and low-carbon heating in Scotland

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Superhomes Rating Scheme

The National Energy Foundation SuperHomes project recognises the achievements of those who have gone the extra mile in the eco-refurbishment of their property.

Recognising householders who have gone the extra mile in the eco-refurbishment of their property

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Net Zero New Build – GHA Vanguard Network

Working with the Vanguards network of 16 Local Authorities to accelerate the changes necessary to deliver net zero carbon new homes.

Working with local authorities to accelerate the journey to net zero carbon new homes

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Sustainable Heat Insights for Fast and Fair Shift to New Zero (SHIFT-0)

Oxford University led study targeting the transition from gas to heat pumps. It will deliver a model for scalable adoption and learning, and joint publication of policy recommendations.

Oxford University led study targeting the transition from gas to heat pumps

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Rebuilding the Low Energy Buildings Database

Expanding the Low Energy Buildings Database as a resource for UK homeowners, self-builders, local authorities, the construction industry and international audiences.

Expanding the Low Energy Buildings database as a resource for UK homeowners and stakeholders

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Housing Archetypes & Heat Pump Deployment

This project sought to develop a methodology that could be adopted across the sector to help turn energy performance gains into measurable benefits through smart technology.

Project focussing on the qualities of different housing archetypes and the retrofit measures required to allow for optimum heat pump installations

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Measured Savings, Better Outcomes

This project sought to develop a methodology that could be adopted across the sector to help turn energy performance gains into measurable benefits through smart technology.

Data-led project turning energy performance gains into measurable benefits through smart technology

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Heat Pumps Now

The aim of this project is to develop and showcase the end to end heat pump service and regional supply chain needed to support the roll out of low carbon heat installations in Greater Manchester

Developing and showcasing an end to end heat pump service and supply chain for Greater Manchester

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Value of Solar Homes

Research report showing how upgrading a home with a solar power system is an easy and simple way to lower a property’s running costs and increase its value while also reducing its environmental impact

Research report detailing the financial benefits of investing in solar power systems

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Geothermal Energy from Mines

Development of a white paper which sets out the commercial, regulatory, market and policy interventions which are needed to address barriers, and accelerate delivery of geothermal energy from mines at scale in the UK.

Developing a calculation method for assessing the benefits of battery storage

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Energising Advice Report

Scoping study to review the information and advice available to consumers on renewable energy and energy efficiency in the home

Review of the information and advice available to consumers on renewable energy and energy efficiency in the home.

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Smart Solar Homes

This report examines both the individual household benefits of installing smart energy technologies, and the contribution they can make to the whole electricity system, when scaled-up across a portfolio of 4.4 million homes

Report examining the household benefits of installing smart energy technologies

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Wind power scoping study

Scoping study looking at improved methods for calculating the effectiveness domestic wind turbines. The existing methodology for calculating mean annual wind speed under MCS needed updating and this study has determined the best way to estimate wind speed through available tools and techniques.

Scoping study looking at improved methods for calculating the effectiveness domestic wind turbines

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Standards review

MCS maintains a comprehensive range of standards relating to the microgeneration sector. A periodic review of all standards documentation was commissioned, with the remit of ensuring that all scheme policies and processes relating to standards management were revised and updated.

A comprehensive review of MCS standards to ensure they up-to-date and easy to use.

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Audit and verification

This project was commissioned to undertake a series of technical inspections of installations spread across diverse MCS technologies, Certification Bodies and types of installer. It is designed to provide a better understanding of how the MCS scheme can best protect consumers and support installers through informing a review of the relevant standards, guidance, scheme structure and processes.

Undertaking technical inspections of MCS installations to inform future scheme developments

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Guidance on biomass fire-side explosions

Explosions in biomass fired appliances are well-known. This project was focused on the production of a guidance document based on review of information available on fire-side explosions, how they occur, and the risks associated with them.

Producing a biomass guidance document on fire-side explosions, how they occur, and the risks associated with them

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