LSBU research is powering a fairer, cleaner energy future
London South Bank University (LSBU) is leading the way in creating smart, sustainable energy systems that address climate change and fuel poverty head-on.
At the heart of this work is Dr Catarina Marques, Senior Research Fellow in Mechanical Engineering and Design at LSBU, who has been project lead for GreenSCIES (Green Smart Community Integrated Energy Systems) since 2019. This revolutionary initiative is transforming how energy is generated, shared and stored in urban communities.
“Reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality can come at a financial cost for the very people it seeks to benefit,” said Dr Marques. “So, how can we reach ambitious net zero targets while tackling the issue of fuel poverty?”
Smart energy for a fairer future
GreenSCIES addresses this challenge by co-creating energy systems with local communities, ensuring solutions are affordable and inclusive.
Working with partners including Transport for London and Islington Council, the project has developed a local distribution network of interconnected energy centres. These centres capture waste heat that would normally be lost to the atmosphere and redistribute it through heat pumps. Smart control technology adjusts temperatures at source, keeping homes warm in winter and offices — and even parts of the transport network — cool in summer.
The system also integrates solar panels, energy storage hubs and electric vehicle charging points, creating a future-proofed approach to heating and transport powered by renewable energy.
“We’re exploring innovative ways of thinking about the use of energy and transport,” explained Dr Marques. “GreenSCIES is about providing the best solutions to deliver that in a low-cost, low-carbon way.”
Impact and recognition
GreenSCIES is already delivering results — 33,000 residents and nearly 70 businesses in Islington are benefitting from affordable, low-carbon energy. The project has won a national award for innovation and LSBU academics, including Dr Marques, played a leading role at COP28, showcasing how local solutions can drive global climate action.
Beyond Islington, GreenSCIES is being extended to smaller studies in Barnsley, Nottingham, Brighouse, Barking and Bristol, helping more communities access clean, cost-effective energy. LSBU researchers are also exploring energy use and emissions from refrigeration and developing strategies to keep vulnerable communities cool during heatwaves — critical work as climate change accelerates.
Dr Marques added: “A net zero carbon future relies on working together. Powering the future starts right here.”