University of Strathclyde: Electric Wallpaper Among Innovations Powering Scotland’s Net Zero Future
Dr Alejandro Moreno-Rangel, from Strathclyde’s Department of Architecture, and project lead Dr Ahmad Taha from the University of Glasgow are working with West of Scotland Housing Association and Glasgow City Council to explore the feasibility of electric wallpaper as a viable, eco-friendly replacement for gas central heating.
The technology, which uses the Internet-of-Things and AI-enabled data analytics to collect information on efficiency, comfort, and tenant’s feedback, is being piloted in properties owned and managed by West of Scotland Housing Association.
Scotland’s homes are among the oldest in the world and the worst insulated in Europe, which contributes to their high carbon footprint. Heating buildings are a major contributor to carbon emissions in Scotland and across the UK, accounting for more than 36% of total emissions. The average Scottish home loses heat three times faster than homes in many European countries, and gas central heating – which relies on fossil fuels – is the most common heating system.
Funded by Scotland Beyond Net Zero – a coalition of leading climate and sustainability experts from Scotland’s universities – this trial is one of eight new research collaborations aimed at accelerating Scotland’s transition to net zero. Each project involves cross-sector collaborations to address sustainability challenges in energy, finance, food, the built environment, natural systems, and transport.
Dr Moreno-Rangel said: “Achieving net zero is one of the keys to tackling climate change. There are particular challenges in adapting older buildings, constructed when awareness of these issues was far more limited, but we aim to ensure that they can comfortably accommodate net zero measures.
Electric wallpaper has the potential to be an effective, sustainable and affordable means of heating homes. With the use of advanced technology and data systems, we aim to make a difference not only to the environment but to the wellbeing of many households.
Andrew Kubski, Director of Development and Asset Management for West of Scotland Housing Association said: “We have been trialling this technology for a few months now and have had excellent feedback from our tenants where this has been installed. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with both the University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde to bring a thorough academic lens to the effectiveness of the electric wallpaper.”
New solutions
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets at Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow has around 70,000 tenement flats, so finding new solutions to more efficiently heating them is vital to reaching a net zero future. Innovative pilot projects such as this are vital when considering how best to help tackle the issues of energy costs and emissions in Glasgow’s homes.”
Professor Lisanne Gibson, Vice-Principal of Research at the University of Dundee and Chair of Scotland Beyond Net Zero’s seed fund committee said: “Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets demand a bold and integrated approach. The seed fund was designed to strengthen cross-institutional research partnerships between Scotland’s universities and external organisations, including community groups, government bodies, and the private sector. This will ensure robust research directly informs industry practice and innovation.”
“These projects are a crucial step in our journey towards a more sustainable and equitable future, not just for Scotland, but globally.”