The University of Wolverhampton, ERDF funded, Built Environment Climate Change Innovations project (BECCI Project), alongside WV Living and Wolverhampton Homes, have successfully installed a novel hybrid battery from local manufacturer Prime Hybrid into a Wolverhampton Homes property. This battery will maximise the effectiveness of the large existing solar panel arrays manufactured and installed by Eco2solar.

The University is using specialist equipment supplied by the Raleigh Group to conduct an energy monitoring pilot study; the results of which will help identify the optimum ways we can improve household energy efficiency and, in turn, address fuel poverty.

This research activity forms part of Wolverhampton’s response to the “Climate Change Emergency”.

Vic O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer for WV Living said: “We are delighted that the affordable homes at Danesmore Pastures have been selected by the University of Wolverhampton to be part of this innovative research programme. Making our homes energy efficient is of vital importance to us. This partnership with Wolverhampton Homes and the University is just one way we can ensure we are working towards this while also contributing to the City Of Wolverhampton Council’s climate change agenda."

BECCI Director, Dr Paul Hampton, said: “Sadly, there are many in society who are struggling to afford to heat their homes. Nobody should have to choose between ‘eating or heating’ but sadly that’s the reality in some parts of the UK. That is why research and partnerships like this which are designed to inform and then result in lower bills to occupiers are so important."

Shaun Aldis, Chief Executive Officer at Wolverhampton Homes, said: “We welcome the involvement of our local University in helping us to improve our housing stock. Working in partnership allows us to be at the forefront of innovation in the social housing sector. The BECCI team led by Dr Paul Hampton have provided us with access to the University's latest computer modelling and data analysis techniques which ensures that following this research study we will have a legacy of improved building design into the next decade and beyond.”

Picture: delivery of the Prime Hybrid battery and invertor to Alvina Ali, a Wolverhampton Homes representative. In the background are the University of Wolverhampton research team led by Dr Paul Hampton and Danny Williams a local electrician.