Scottish proptech firm arbnco developed the Digital Energy Efficiency Platform (DEEP) under Government funded “Boosting Access for SMEs to Energy Efficiency” innovation programme.

DEEP aims to eliminate the common barriers SMEs face in tackling energy efficiency, such as high upfront and transactional costs, economies of scale and difficulties accessing finance.

Energy Systems Catapult provided arbnco with Business Model Innovation support to find or develop a sustainable model that facilitates investment in energy efficiency retrofit/refurbishment projects by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – which account for 99% of all businesses in the UK and are responsible for over 50% of energy use.

DEEP centralises building data sets and delivers bespoke retrofit strategies tailored to each individual building, including costs and finance options, and a business case for implementing energy efficiency.

Ventive started out as a designer and manufacturer of innovative passive ventilation systems, before expanding into developing a smart, zero carbon home solution, that includes: low carbon heating and cooling, electrical and thermal energy storage, hot and cold water and ventilation all in one box – Ventive Home.

Following a rigorous Innovator Challenge application process of SMEs developing innovative smart heating and cooling solutions, Energy Launchpad selected Ventive to receive support for commercial development.

With different market segments at varying stages of readiness for complex retrofit solutions, innovative business models are required to finance and deliver improved consumer services.

So the key challenge for Energy Launchpad was to quantify the market opportunity, prioritise the sectors based the value being created and then develop the commercial model and route to market.

• Ventive secured a pilot project with Nottingham City Council to demonstrate the feasibility of Net Zero retrofitting of social housing at a reasonable cost.
• The tenant gets great indoor air quality, excellent levels of comfort and dramatically lower energy bills.
• The local authority or housing association get a simple to install and cost-effective whole house retrofit solution, with all technologies accessible in the one box plugged into the outside of the home.
• Ventive now has a viable “Comfort-as-a-Service” commercial model that makes Ventive Home more affordable for both tenant and landlord.
• Ultimately Nottingham City Council plan to retrofit around 20,000 homes in response to the climate emergency and Ventive are in a prime position to help them execute that ambition.

Senergy developed a solar thermal panel designed to deliver affordable heating. Unlike solar PV made from glass, copper and aluminium components, Senergy’s panels are 100% polymer plastic – increasing their thermal efficiency whilst reducing delivery and installation costs.

Currently, Senergy operate as a manufacturer, selling panels as part of a building’s heating system. However, recognising the value of the panel’s aesthetic and structural properties, provides an opportunity to adapt their commercialisation strategy to reach other target markets both in the UK and abroad.

Energy Systems Catapult worked with Senergy via our Energy Launchpad, including:

• Home Energy Dynamics – using our ground-breaking simulation tool, our Modelling experts helped validate the performance of the product with a range of housing types and occupancy profiles to understand the value proposition and economic benefits.
• Digital Energy Fitness Assessment – our Digital and Data team assessed the digital readiness of both the innovation and the business
• Business Modelling Innovation – our experts helped to refine their business model, how they pitch to customers and developed their route to various markets.

Energy Systems Catapult’s support helped Senergy to:

• Validate a plan to compete like-for-like with solar PV, and to integrate the product with other technologies, such as heat pumps and thermal batteries to help reduce heating costs during the winter period.
• Progress the TRL of their product from 4 to 6.
• Win three new pilot customers to carry out demonstrations.
• Find new partners to collaborate, integrating the product into complete home heating solutions.
• Secure £130,000 of funding to invest in progressing the TRL towards commercialisation and build internal capabilities to become investor ready.