CASE STUDIES
Creating an energy system that’s good for people and good for the planet.
We install and manage large roof-mounted renewable energy generation projects on businesses, schools, and communities all over Oxfordshire, as well as supporting communities with energy efficiency projects. We also work with project partners on Innovation Pilots that move community energy forward.
Below you’ll find case studies of our renewable energy installations, community stories of people driving change at a local level, and our collaborative innovation projects, accelerating the transition to a net zero energy system.
You could even use these case studies as inspiration for creating your own low carbon projects!
ProjectRay Valley Solar
The largest community-owned ground mount solar park in the UK. In July 2022 Ray Valley Solar was connected to the national electricity grid. The largest community-owned solar park in the UK is commissioned and starts generating clean energy. Low Carbon Hub’s first ground mount solar park Ray Valley Solar is Low Carbon Hub’s first ground…Find out more
Green Narrowboats
Green Narrowboats model an approach to electric narrowboat conversion that reduces emissions and pollution. The traditional narrowboat has long been an iconic part of Britain’s inland waterways, and in the current climate the environmental impact of these boats are being reconsidered. The emissions from their, often diesel, engines and the pollution caused by oil leaks…
Electrogenic
Electrogenic retrofit classic cars with electric engines. From The Ground Up Oxfutures was able to provide funding to support the commercialisation of Electrogenic when it was a new start-up looking to prototype the development of retrofitting a classic car with an electric motor. In 2018, they were awarded one of our grants to help develop…
EcoSync
EcoSync are aiming, through innovative technology, to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of buildings by 40%. Their solution: stop heating empty rooms. They have successfully applied to OxFutures GreenFund for funding to continue developing their technology. The Project EcoSync are aiming, through innovative technology, to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of…
Oxford River Cruises
Oxford River Cruises received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to convert their fleet to electric propulsion. I want my businesses to do everything possible to minimise their environmental impact, and, if we can, demonstrate the effectiveness of clean energy technologies to other boaters so that they have increased confidence in making the switch themselves. Giles…
EV Carshop
EV Carshop are a one stop shop for electrification of business car fleets. The Project EV Carshop are electrification specialists who provide Electric Cars, Vans, Charging and ‘Know How’ to businesses motivated to electrify their fleets. Their turnkey transition solution was engineered specifically for businesses. Firstly, identifying where electrification represents an immediate opportunity for cost…
Hook Norton Community Housing
A GreenLab pilot demonstrator of how a smart, local energy system can be integrated into a rural community housing project. The Project With our population growing, we need to ensure we have enough homes for all. However, many new housing developments build homes which are not affordable for everyone, and which don’t take sustainability into…
Duffin Associates
Duffin Associates are developing a new solar PV tracker to maximise efficient generation of solar panels The Project Since 2005 Duffin Associates Limited (DAL) has brought together small teams of specialists with low carbon experience to deliver specific project needs. DAL’s experience is in the field of commercialising low-carbon technologies acting in a variety of…
Seacourt Printing
Seacourt is the UK’s most sustainable printing company based in Oxford. They got in touch with OxFutures for a grant to develop a roadmap to sustainability for all businesses to follow. The Organisation Seacourt have been printing in Oxford since 1946 and have been a sustainability trailblazer since they realised just how damaging the printing…
3Keel Sustainability Advisors
3Keel received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install new heating and light systems to reduce energy consumption. The Project 3Keel are an Oxford-based sustainability consultancy committed to making food systems, supply chains, and landscapes fit for the futures. We welcomed the opportunity to improve the impact of an existing UK office by investing in…
The Abbey Sutton Courtenay
The Abbey Sutton Courtenay have been improving the energy efficiency of their guest house following an OxFutures energy assessment and recent funding awarded from GreenFund to help them fund the installation of the measures. The audit really helped us think clearly and make the case for change we were delighted to win the funding to make it all…
Shed Oxford
Volunteer organisation, Shed Oxford, received a grant from GreenFund to improve the energy efficiency of their community workshop. Access to a disused tractor shed at The Abbey has granted us a great opportunity to create a new on-site, well-appointed workshop space. As our south facing wall doesn’t have windows, being able to pre-warm the Shed…
The Folly
Central Oxford, riverside restaurant received a free energy assessment and decided to install an energy saving induction oven to save gas and prevent overheating. The Project The Folly restaurant received a free energy assessment that outlined the measures they could take to reduce their energy use and cut their bills and carbon footprint. To save…
Thames Cryogenics
Early 1990s industrial park building gets an upgrade with LED lighting throughout. The Project Thames Cryogenics are based in an early 1990s industrial park building with a workshop, offices and storage. Following a free energy assessment Thames Cyrogenics learnt that by upgrading their lighting systems from fluorescent tubes to LEDs they could reduce their energy bills…
Hill End
Hill End outdoor learning centre received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install secondary glazing in their dormitory buildings. “This project has meant that we can do more of the Outdoor Learning that we were set up to do.” David MillinHill End The Project Hill End has been offering unique outdoor learning experiences since the…
Higgs Group
Higgs Group printing and publishing company received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install new lighting and insulation to increase the energy efficiency of their building. The Project Higgs has been the leading printing and publishing company in Henley on Thames for over 100 years. They provide quality print and publishing services to businesses in…
Pietersen Fine Furniture
Pietersen Fine Furniture received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install a biomass heating system to save carbon emissions. The Project Pietersen Fine Furniture Ltd specializes in the manufacture and installation of bespoke furniture and fitted interiors. For over 20 years they have been producing traditional and contemporary cabinetry and specialist interior joinery. In 2018…
Chapman Robinson & Moores
Chapman Robinson & Moores received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install an air source heating system to make the space a more welcoming environment for employees. The Project Chapman Robinson and Moores (CRM) are one of Oxfordshire’s leading providers of accountancy and proactive business advisory services. The motivation for getting in touch with OxFutures…
Ewelme Watercress Beds
This nature reserve was awarded an OxFutures grant to install solar panels on their south-west facing roof. The Site The hub of the British watercress industry in the 20th Century, Ewelme is a picturesque and historical 6.5 acre site which has been owned by the Chiltern Society since 1992 and is conserved beautifully by volunteers.…
Magdalen Road Studios
Magdalen Road Studios received an OxFutures grant to install LED lighting, insulation, and infrared heaters to make the space a more welcoming environment for artists and visitors. The project Following a free energy assessment, Magdalen Road Studios – an arts charity run for the benefit of the community – learnt that by upgrading their lighting…
ARK-T
Oxford Community Arts charity receives funding for energy efficiency improvements. The Site The Ark-T Centre site consists of a main hall, café with a small commercial kitchen, arts studio, music studio and offices. They have two sites based near Templars Square in Cowley suitable for a variety of purposes including classes, meetings, and celebrations. The…
The Mix
The Mix received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install an electric heating system to make the space a more welcoming temperature for users. The Mix offers skills workshops, upcycling activities, resource swaps, repair cafes, meetings and information; as well as hosting hot-desking and local groups. It aims to provide practical ways to live more…
Dean Court Community Centre
Dean Court Community Centre received an OxFutures grant to help install 10KwP of Solar PV panels and a 13.5KwH Tesla storage ‘powerwall’ battery. The centre first opened its doors to the public in 2014; since then it has acted as the physical “home” of Dean Court Community Association (DCCA) and provides a venue for a…
St Hilda’s College
St Hilda’s College received an OxFutures grant to help install LED lighting, fabric upgrades, and radiator valves. St Hilda’s College comprises buildings built from 1790 to 1995. The estate consists of one main site in the centre of Oxford with a number of remote student accommodation blocks in East Oxford. Heating is primarily by gas…
Duns Tew Village Hall
Duns Tew Village Hall received an OxFuture grant from GreenFund to install a variety of energy efficiency upgrades. The Duns Tew Village Hall building was originally constructed as a schoolhouse in 1870 and later repurposed as the village hall. The space is in use for an average of 15 hours per week for a variety…
The Rug Shed
The Rug Shed received an OxFutures energy assessment and grant to install LED lighting in their shopfront. The Rug Shed sources and stocks a wide selection of handmade rugs from around the world. Their showroom in Henley-on-Thames is a ground floor retail unit in a 1900s building with floor to ceiling windows and doors at the…
Lady Sew and Sew
Lady Sew and Sew received an OxFutures energy assessment and grant to carry out a plethora of energy efficiency measures. Lady Sew and Sew, a sewing and crafting company based in Oxfordshire, has been making strides towards reducing its energy consumption and carbon footprint. They have implemented a range of energy efficiency measures, including the…