The Opportunity 

The objective of this Opportunity is to shortlist the submissions that best answer the brief, with the aim of attending a presentation day with the EIC Industry Partners, where it can be discussed in greater detail with a technical panel. The EIC welcomes submissions from individual companies or companies working in collaboration with each other.

What is the problem? 

With the UK's ambition to transition to net-zero emissions by 2050, it will be necessary to decarbonise an average of 20,000 properties each week for the next 20 to 25 years. The Net Zero Research Village (NeRV) at Low Thornley, a site owned Northern Gas Networks’(NGN), is the first 
integrated research, development, and demonstration facility in the UK that encompasses gas, electricity, and water sectors. NeRV provides a controlled environment at which decarbonisation technologies can be tested and evaluated. There have been nine purpose-built properties constructed at this site on a cul-desac known as Futures Close. NeRV is set to perform a 15-month research programme at Futures Close. This research is to evaluate a series of heating technologies, controls and fabric improvements using data captured from over 500 sensors and 
approximately 1,800 data feeds installed throughout the properties. These sensors monitor a comprehensive range of metrics, including:
• Occupancy
• Carbon Monoxide levels
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Gas
• Water
• Electricity consumption.

Additionally, an on-site weather station captures essential climate conditions such as:
• Wind speed
• Ambient temperature
• Humidity.
To ensure the integrity, consistency and usability of the substantial amount of data generated from these 
sensors, it’s necessary to collect, store and analyse the data precisely. It’s hoped that the data collected will 
feed into approximately 45 test regimes that have been specifically designed to answer research questions. 
Examples of these test regimes are available in the supporting document.

Preferred Output 

NeRV are looking for a data analytics company to partner on 15-month project to analyse and store data from their Futures Close site, which will enhance their already robust and established data architecture, led by an organisation called IOTICS with support from NGNs internal 3iG team.
The company will be required to:
• Integrate with the existing data architecture at Futures Close
• Ensure the integrity and consistency of the data collected from the various sensors and systems
• Analyse and report research outputs through the investigation of the data collected from the sensors and data points
• Use the data to answer specific research questions associated with each test regime
• Assist in determining the best heating, controls, and fabric improvements for different types of properties.

NeRV and IOTICS will induct and support the successful proposal