ARENA

The ARENA (Advancing Resource Efficiency and Urban Ecology Innovations) project was a successful pan-London business support project led by SRI in partnership with Barking Riverside Limited, which operated from 2019 to 2023 with support from the London European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme. UEL as project lead provided research & development support to 44 London businesses, most of which were small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), focused on technological validation for 'green' product and service innovations in the emerging areas of nature-based solutions, urban green infrastructure, resource efficiency and the circular economy. ARENA's contribution to London's green economy has been significant: A recent independent evaluation of the project estimated that by 2030, ARENA will have achieved a return on investment of between 1.68-3.43:1, meaning that every £1 of the £0.5m of public funding invested in ARENA is expected to generate between £1.68 and £3.43 of gross value added (GVA). 

Eastern New Energy

The Eastern New Energy (ENE) project was a £10.2 million ERDF-funded project designed to support SMEs across the east of England to decarbonise and bring low-carbon products and services to market. Led by the SRI, the project brought together 8 partners to support SMEs during the years 2020 to 2023. Across the project around 250 SMEs were supported through the programme by developing and executing Net-Zero action plans, exploring approaches to building affordable zero-carbon homes, retrofitting existing homes and commercial buildings, switching vehicle fleets to lower carbon alternatives, and designing, developing and bringing new low-carbon products and services to market.

UEL directly supported 46 SMEs. We offered support primarily by supporting companies with low-carbon product development and through our Road to Net-Zero Knowledge Exchange Programme. Using our laboratory and expertise we supported businesses with low-carbon product development and testing. Our Knowledge Exchange Programme enabled organisations to not only learn about decarbonisation but also learn the tools and techniques to continue to independently transition toward net zero.

90% of the SMEs supported across the project told us that they would not have been able to make the decarbonisation progress they have without the support of the ENE project.  

As part of the ENE project research was also conducted by the SRI, exploring the barriers SMEs face to decarbonisation and the types of support which can be effective in overcoming barriers. A research paper with some of our published findings can be found here.  

An independent evaluation has shown that the ENE project demonstrated a Return on Investment of 3.84, translating to an additional £3.84 of benefits for every £1 of public funding spent, presenting high value for money.

SENE

The South East New Energy (ENE) project was a £6.4 million ERDF-funded project designed to support SMEs across the South East of England to decarbonise and bring low-carbon products and services to market. Led by the SRI, the project brought together 7 partners to support SMEs. Across the project around 190 SMEs were supported through the programme to decarbonise in a range of ways.

UEL worked with 54 SMEs. We offered support primarily by supporting companies with low-carbon product development and through our Road to Net-Zero Knowledge Exchange Programme. Using our laboratory and expertise we supported businesses with low-carbon product development and testing. Our knowledge exchange programme enabled organisations to not only learn about decarbonisation but also learn the tools and techniques to continue to independently transition toward Not-Zero.

SENE has effectively aided recipients in reducing their carbon emissions, consequently leading to decreased energy expenses, particularly during a period when numerous businesses have encountered notable surges in their energy costs. The support provided by the SENE project has empowered businesses to oversee their energy consumption, develop strategies, and implement novel technologies and methodologies to curtail energy output.

Most of the beneficiaries have underscored that SENE has proven to be highly efficient or effective in the endeavour to lower carbon emissions, reduce energy expenditures, and enhance environmental practices.

92% of SMEs said that the SENE programme helped them to reduce their carbon emissions.  

Like its sister project ENE, the SENE project demonstrated good value. A recent independent evaluation indicated that the SENE project demonstrated a return on investment of 1.89, translating to an additional £1.89 of benefits for every £1 of public funding spent, presenting high value for money.