Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) researchers will play a part in a major new investment to grow green industries across the UK.

The new Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB) will be led by the University of Edinburgh, with ENU among four other universities offering their expertise towards improving energy efficiency in Scotland’s urban areas.

The Centre is one of five new green industry centres backed by £25m of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.

Dr Kate Hamer, UKRI Programme Director, Building a Green Future, said:

“Transitioning to a sustainable green economy is a win-win for all; it creates new jobs, new partnerships and new industries.

“Through investment in collaboration between researchers and innovators, we harness our collective effort across the public and private sector, driving innovation to secure the future of our environment and deliver sustainable economic growth.”

Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings

Backed by £4.5m of the UK government funding, the Centre aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions from densely packed buildings in UK cities and towns.

It will investigate how to make buildings in heavily populated areas more energy efficient to reduce carbon emissions, lower heating bills, and bring eco-friendly construction products to the market.

Based at the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Futures Institute, it will combine the expertise of ENU, the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, and the West of Scotland, as well as BE-ST – Scotland’s construction innovation centre.

Scotland’s central belt was chosen as the site for this research as Edinburgh and Glasgow have the UK’s highest density of flats in the UK, providing a useful testing ground for green building technologies.

This Centre will partner with UK construction industry, product manufacturers, energy companies, public bodies, housing organisations, communities and colleges to accelerate societal critical green economy pilot and prototype projects.

Among methods being trialled are net-zero heating systems, more sustainable construction methods and natural insulation materials.

Specifically, ENU’s role will include leading on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and skills, as well as contributing its expertise on offsite modern methods of construction and timber to develop sustainable built environment solutions.

Offsite and Timber expertise

The launch of CeNZ-HighDB is the latest in a series of recent endorsements for ENU’s construction pedigree.

Sustainable construction expert Professor Robert Hairstans has been recognised with a pair of industry awards – after being named Pioneer of the Year at both the Offsite and Structural Timber Awards (pictured).

Professor Hairstans was also involved with showing the Duke of Edinburgh around the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford last week. CATT has been established at NMITE in partnership with ENU, where Professor Hairstans acts as Director the centre.

Speaking there, Professor Hairstans said: "It is a privilege to have the opportunity to explain how CATT is being established as a nationally renowned centre for research and education excellence in timber construction for the delivery and upgrade of the built environment in partnership with ENU.

"Our work in collaboration with the sector and throughout the supply chain has an important part to play in achieving the net zero carbon ambitions of the UK whilst enabling a just transition by means of upskilling and reskilling the professionals of the future.”

Timber track record

Edinburgh Napier continues to lead pioneering research into industrialised timber and offsite construction solutions as host to BE-ST. You can find out more about the work in the video below.