Net Zero Community (NZCom) is funded by National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution), the electricity network distribution operator in the Southwest, through its Network Innovation Allowance. National Grid - Vulnerability and Energy Networks, Identification and Consumption Evaluation (VENICE)

It forms part of a wider project called VENICE (Vulnerability and Energy Networks, Identification and Consumption Evaluation) which has three strands:

• NZCom - led by WREN
• SMILE (Smart Meter Identification) - led by Frontier Economics
• Vulnerable Customers and COVID - led by Frazer Nash

WREN has engaged with other organisations to deliver NZCom.

 WREN itself will provide effective project planning & management throughout the project lifecycle to achieve & provide evidence of achievement of objectives. This will be led by Technical Director Chris Coonick.
WREN is also responsible for obtaining effective and timely community input into project research and disseminating project outputs, led by Community Engagement Director Simon Miller. This will be done through a Project Advisory Group, Community Focus Groups and other engagement mechanisms.

The other partners in NZCom are:

Dr Iain Soutar is a Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus in Cornwall. He is leading the development of local scenario narratives for NZCom to articulate plausible energy futures, as a basis for exploring options for new technologies, business models and institutional arrangements.
http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/staff/index.php?web_id=Iain_Soutar

Dr Xiaoyu Yan is a Senior Lecturer in Energy and Environment at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus in Cornwall. He is leading the development of a carbon accounting methodology for NZCom to qualitatively compare impacts and community scale energy efficiency and low carbon technology interventions.
http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/renewable-energy/staff/xy258

Planet A Solutions CIC is a social enterprise based in Par, Cornwall, working exclusively to alleviate the climate emergency in the interests of the Global Community, which invests 50% of its profits back into schemes that help protect against climate change. Planet A will identify complementary technologies, systems, and approaches to deliver optimal holistic outcomes to reach net zero carbon in the Wadebridge and Padstow network area by 2050 that positively support vulnerable customers. https://planetaenergy.org

Community Energy Plus is an award-winning social enterprise that provides complete energy answers to help householders in Cornwall enjoy warmer, energy efficient homes as part of a more sustainable future. It is based in Truro, Cornwall. CEP will develop community-led business models that have the potential to deliver socioeconomic benefits. It will understand and adapt the Net Zero Communities proposal to accommodate the needs of vulnerable energy customers to ensure that none are left behind in the energy transition. https://www.cep.org.uk

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