Urbanomy, a new subsidiary of EDF, has been appointed by Oxfordshire County Council to support Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire) in the energy planning of Salt Cross Garden Village
This contract is a part of the Eynsham Smart and Fair Futures project led by the Low Carbon Hub within LEO.
This project will develop 2,200 homes, a primary school with a 1,000-plus pupil capacity, a health centre and a 40-hectare science park.
Oxfordshire County Council will work with Urbanomy to advise on its energy and mobility-related decisions, working alongside the project’s other partners.
Urbanomy will also provide visual displays, adding to the other mapping and strategic tools developed in LEO, to help Oxfordshire County Council promote the project locally.
Urbanomy will build on the published Energy Action Plan (EAP) of the area and assess the energy supply and demand, including smart electric mobility, at the garden village development and its impact on the local grid and the wider area.
This will demonstrate the integration of the elements for a smart local energy system and the routes to reach net-zero carbon, taking into account the viability of proposed solutions and demonstrating the benefits for the local community.
By 2050, cities will account for 2% of the Earth’s surface, contributing 90% to global CO2 emissions, resulting in new environmental and human challenges.
To meet these challenges, Urbanomy offers an integrated vision for cities, developers and real estate promoters, combining attractive and environmentally-friendly urban areas with the needs of the local community.
The first homes are expected to be available in 2021/2022.
Collaborating to achieve zero carbon developments
Llewelyn Morgan of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Achieving net-zero carbon is integral to the council’s vision for a thriving county.
“Our newly launched Climate Action Framework sets out the areas where we can work in partnership to meet this goal and we highlight our commitment to support zero carbon new developments.
“As a partner in Project LEO, we are developing the new approaches and tools that will help us better understand the steps needed to achieve this.
“Urbanomy will join us to create a new model that will enable a net-zero carbon energy system for Salt Cross, one which benefits the new residents and those already living nearby.”
Sandra Fives, CEO of Urbanomy, added: “Climate change challenges us to rethink our living spaces both collectively and individually.
“Urbanomy leverages cutting-edge modelling tools and its network of experts to support its clients.
“Our energy solutions adopt a human-centric approach, offering practical and system-scalable models, customised for districts and cities alike.
“At Urbanomy, we combine the agility of a start-up with the global experience of EDF Group, working independently from recommended technologies.
“Through our collective solutions and expertise, we provide the best possible response to our clients’ needs, factoring in their location, the shape of their urban landscape as well as the needs of the local population.”
Partners include Low Carbon Hub, the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University and Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN – Lead of the consortium), as well as other local stakeholders West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) and low carbon community action group Eynsham GreenTEA.
