Appraisal of UK funding frameworks for energy research in housing

The current UK research capacity and funding programmes in the field of energy use and energy demand reduction in existing housing are appraised. A satellite-hub model concept is proposed as an appropriate way forward. To set the scene, the complex nature and difficulty of the problem of achieving real energy reductions in housing is highlighted and research opportunities for current and forthcoming housing and energy policy measures are investigated. A range of recent and on-going research funding programmes managed by UK Research Councils, government departments and industry are appraised in the context of relevant policy measures and criteria that the authors consider to be essential for rapid and high-quality research in domestic energy reduction. Finally, the implementation of the concept of a satellite-hub model is explored through the structure and operation of a domestic energy use and retrofit research satellite-hub on a regional and national level. This provides an insight into a potential evolutionary change in the research of energy use and demand reduction in existing housing.