Following a pre-feasibility assessment conducted in 2023, Scene support the Alt Housing Cooperative (AHC) to secure funding via the Community Energy Fund (Phase 2) from the UK Government. The funding supported detailed technical and financial analysis of low carbon heating, solar PV and retrofit solutions for AHC properties.
Scene provided project management and solar design expertise to a consortium consisting on AHC (site owner), North West Housing Services (operator), Locogen (technical lead), BHA Hydro (geothermal specialist), Abundance (financial lead) and People Powered Retrofit (building energy lead).
Delivered during 2025, the project progressed several aspects of the project towards financial close, including:
- Retrofit assessments for a sample of AHC properties, including air-tightness tests and retrofit strategy development.
- Detailed design and specification of centralised and distributed low carbon heating system for all AHC properties.
- Geothermal appraisal and design for close-loop borehole thermal collectors.
- Solar PV design and local energy supply modelling.
- Development of a business plan and commercial case for investment on behalf of AHC.
The study concluded in late 2025 and work is ongoing to deliver a system which benefits AHC residents financially and socially.