Ambrose, Aimee; Arbell, Yael; Lannon, Simon; Schaefer, Ella; Raslan, Rokia; Ashworth, Tim; (2025) What’s the best way to decarbonise homes in off grid communities? (Project Report ). Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research: Sheffield, UK.

Text decarbonise-homes-off-grid-communities.pdf - Published Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff Download (2MB)

Abstract

Estimates suggest that circa 2,000 properties across the UK are ‘off-grid’, meaning they do not have a connection to the electricity or mains gas grid. A further four million have an electricity supply but no mains gas. A range of challenges are faced by people living ‘off-grid’, including increased risk of fuel poverty (struggling to afford to adequately heat their homes), maintaining energy supply, especially in adverse conditions and high fuel costs. Solutions favoured to move most homes in the UK closer to net zero, such as heat pumps and better insulation, may not be readily compatible with off grid homes or may be more complex to implement. Off grid households risk exclusion from the national energy transition. Northern Powergrid and Northern Gas Networks understand that the diversity of housing types and household circumstances that exist in rural areas means that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to move off grid homes towards net zero. They commissioned us - a consortium of academics (social researchers, architects) and engineers - to research and understand the realities and practicalities of decarbonising off grid properties. This included understanding how off grid households felt about the prospect of decarbonising their homes, how they currently meet their energy needs, and modelling potential energy solutions for a variety of different off grid homes; factoring in the needs, expectations and concerns of households.

Download activity - last month

Export as JSONCSVXML

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Archive Staff Only

View Item