A new project in Glasgow is piloting the use of electric wallpaper as an innovative clean heating solution in 12 tenement properties.

The initiative, led by the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, West of Scotland Housing Association, and Glasgow City Council, is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of this technology in reducing carbon emissions. The project recently received funding from Scotland Beyond Net Zero.

Scotland's homes are among the oldest in the world and the least insulated in Europe, contributing to a high carbon footprint. Heating buildings is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with more than 36% of Scotland’s emissions coming from heating. Scottish homes lose heat three times faster than many European counterparts, with gas central heating – reliant on fossil fuels – being the most common system. This pilot hopes to explore alternative, sustainable heating solutions that could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions.

Dr Ahmad Taha from the University of Glasgow and Dr Alejandro Moreno-Rangel from the University of Strathclyde 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.

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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."

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets at Glasgow City Council, added: "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."

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.

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."