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Locality: Battersea, London
Asset owner: Doddington and Rollo Community Association (DRCA) Projected energy savings: 29 tonnes CO2e per annum from 2025 Projected financial savings: £19,000+ per annum from 2025 Tech used:
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Collaborators and funders
We worked with Pure Leapfrog to raise the capital for phase 1 of the project, taking out a 0% interest loan that will be paid back over the next decade using a portion of the money saved each month. The project was the first example of a community energy-saving project in the capital using an energy services agreement. It was also CREW’s first complete project and a first step towards bringing our vision of community energy efficiency to Wandsworth.
Phase 2 was funded by the Wandsworth Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme (NCIL funding) and was launched in September 2025.
Phase 2 was funded by the Wandsworth Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme (NCIL funding) and was launched in September 2025.
Technology used
Phase 1 - 2017
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Phase 1 of our community energy saving project at the Doddington and Rollo Community Association (DRCA) in Battersea was launched in September 2017.
The DRCA is a community centre for use by local residents, located in an old underground car park beneath the Doddington and Rollo housing estate, and therefore almost all of its rooms require continuous artificial lighting. As a result DRCA had been suffering from high electricity bills, spending £1000s each month. Following an assessment of the building we replaced all the lighting with highly efficient LED bulbs, controlled by motion sensors. One year on from the project, they were saving an average of £500 per month (16%) on their energy bills, rising to £600-£700 per month in subsequent years. We'd like to thank Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova for launching the scheme, along with Leonie Cooper, London Assembly Member for Wandsworth and Merton for hosting the event and guest speaker Alex Hartley, from South East London Community Energy. |
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"DRCA is making reasonable savings from the energy bills as well as from the cost of spares/replacement parts. We also believe we are enjoying a better quality of lighting. Please consider using CREW for your energy solutions."
- Justin O'Kello, Office Manager, DRCA
Phase 2 - 2025
Phase 2 of the project was launched in 2025, when we received funding from Wandsworth Council through the Wandsworth Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme (NCIL funding) to carry out further energy efficiency measures at the centre.
The first step was to install a building management system in October to tackle overheating and regular complaints about the heat in the building. The BMS offers granular control on a radiator-by-radiator basis, allowing the team to adjust settings accordingly for a kitchen vs a room hosting an upholstery class.
Discussions are still ongoing regarding the installation of further measures, including solar PV, and an air handling unit (AHU).
An air handling unit is designed to measure CO2 levels, activating when these reach a certain threshold. Replacing the 40-year-old motors in the existing AHU will reduce the centre’s running costs by a projected 66%.
We are also exploring the potential to use solar PV on the roof garden, which could reducing energy costs by providing free, renewable power directly to the centre.
Stay tuned for updates on these additional technologies – the easiest way to get updates is by subscribing to our newsletter.
The first step was to install a building management system in October to tackle overheating and regular complaints about the heat in the building. The BMS offers granular control on a radiator-by-radiator basis, allowing the team to adjust settings accordingly for a kitchen vs a room hosting an upholstery class.
Discussions are still ongoing regarding the installation of further measures, including solar PV, and an air handling unit (AHU).
An air handling unit is designed to measure CO2 levels, activating when these reach a certain threshold. Replacing the 40-year-old motors in the existing AHU will reduce the centre’s running costs by a projected 66%.
We are also exploring the potential to use solar PV on the roof garden, which could reducing energy costs by providing free, renewable power directly to the centre.
Stay tuned for updates on these additional technologies – the easiest way to get updates is by subscribing to our newsletter.
Additional benefits
A portion of the money saved during phase 1 was redirected to a community fund to be spent on social and environmental initiatives in the area, plus a series of workshops on tackling fuel poverty.
For this latest NCIL-funded phase of the project, the DRCA is looking to expand its outreach to the local community. CREW has agreed to run energy advice sessions for local residents and offer support to reduce carbon emissions to the businesses that operate from the centre.
For this latest NCIL-funded phase of the project, the DRCA is looking to expand its outreach to the local community. CREW has agreed to run energy advice sessions for local residents and offer support to reduce carbon emissions to the businesses that operate from the centre.
About DRCA
The Doddington and Rollo Association has two large halls providing the local community with facilities for recreation, fitness and other community activities. While its Business Centre which has over forty small businesses provides opportunities for training, education and employment while supplying goods and services to Battersea, Wandsworth and beyond.
