Retrofit One-Stop Shop York (ROSSY)

Jenn Linsley leads a team at City of York Council that seeks to assist and encourage private homeowners, landlords and tenants to retrofit their properties; increasing their Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), providing extra comfort, lowering fuel bills and most importantly, seeking to cut carbon emissions. The team primarily administers projects born of grant funding such as the Green Homes Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme, Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF1) and ECO LA Flex projects. They have recently branched out to incorporate projects that seek to assist those considered ‘Able to Pay’ and that increase the supply chain in and around York.

What exactly is the ROSSY project, and what are its main goals?

ROSSY, which stands for Retrofit One-Stop Shop York, is an Innovate UK funded Net Zero Living Demonstrator project. The project outcome is the creation of an innovative platform designed to revolutionise home retrofitting and energy efficiency in York. Branded as YorEnergy, the platform aims to simplify the retrofit process for residents by integrating various elements such as a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), tailored finance solutions, and personalised customer journeys. The main goals are to:

• Overcome the non-technological barriers that prevent consumers from undertaking energy retrofit, such as: i. Lack of education, awareness and too much misinformation ii. Lack of retrofit financing iii. The “hassle factor” iv. Lack of trustworthy suppliers and brand recognition
• Move the city towards its net zero target by 2030

Who are the partners in this project?

ROSSY is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, including:

• The City of York Council
• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
• Brightsparks Agency
• Energy Systems Catapult
• Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) at the University of York
• York Community Energy
• Wrapt Homes

What makes YorEnergy different from other One Stop Shops?

YorEnergy offers a holistic approach to its customers. It will start by offering customers information on retrofit and dispelling misinformation, before taking them through their current EPC. This is followed by demonstrating Home Energy Dynamics Modelling (HEDM) data simulations and other retrofit examples from the York area. Customers will then be offered a full, free Retrofit Assessment. Once the initial assessment is complete, a Retrofit Coordinator guides users through the entire journey, from assessment to design and specification, quotation, financing, install management and quality assurance. Some of the unique features include:

1. The integration of finance solutions and sustainable procurement via an innovative DPS for local suppliers, with training opportunities to increase the supply pool.
2. Use of community champions
3. Collaboration with the University of York for academic research, monitoring and evaluation
4. Integration of HEDM data, a digital twin, and living labs technology from Energy Systems Catapult
5. Transparent impact measurements and benefits realisation
6. A free service to consumers at point of access
7. Monitoring of a Retrofit Demonstrator Home, time-lapse videos and tours
8. Cross-council potential, aiming to expand beyond the platform’s reach beyond York