Town's homes chosen for new green energy pilot

Up to 150 homes in South Yorkshire are to be the focus for a pilot of a major European project aimed at expanding community‑run renewable energy systems.

Researchers said the £5.4m INNO-TREC initiative in Barnsley would test new ways to generate and share clean power, with the town's social housing at the centre of the trial.

Cranfield University, leading the project, said households would be equipped with solar panels, battery storage and air‑source heat pumps designed to "cut bills and improve comfort for vulnerable tenants".

If successful, the pilot scheme could be expanded to other communities, "supporting national net‑zero targets and efforts to tackle fuel poverty", a spokesperson said.

Dr Pegah Mirzania, academic fellow in local energy systems at Cranfield University, said: "This is a really timely project which gives power back to local people when it comes to energy supply and pricing.

"We're aiming to create a system that is easy to set up and simple to operate, removing barriers to this new kind of renewable energy community."

The project, funded by the European Commission, involves 21 academic and industry partners from 10 countries, with other demonstration sites in Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Belgium.

The university spokesperson said Electric Corby CIC would manage the UK rollout, while Energise Barnsley would oversee "tenant engagement and smart technology deployment".

Researchers were currently developing the project, with community testing expected to start in early 2027, they added.

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