Energy Technology

eNErgy Technology

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Newcastle - one of the most famous locations in the world for energy is now driving moves to a de-carbonised economy.

It was coals from Newcastle, and the technology developed from it, that powered the industrial development of the world – Railways, electric lighting, the steam turbine, the modern fuel cell.

Turbine image The North East has now channelled the skills and expertise of its science and technology base, with energy a central focus, to establish one of the most vibrant technology based economies in Europe – where there is now growth faster than the rest of Britain.

At the heart of this success is a unique partnership between universities, businesses and the public sector, which has built, tried and tested successful approaches to collaboration that take technology from the laboratory to application, and which is now attracting major international investment. The North East is building an infrastructure and capability for energy that is uniquely extensive and diverse, and which is both powering the region’s economy and establishing the basis for sustainable development.

The Region recognises that new facilities are required to take these technologies from the laboratory and develop them to where they can be taken up by businesses and users.

Wave testing image NaREC in Blyth has a unique location for the development of low carbon technologies and the power network, and at the Wilton Centre, fuel cell, hydrogen and bioenergy technologies are being developed by the Centre for Process Innovation. With research and testing facilities, people working here have an unparalleled perspective on new energy technologies.

The Region has the most energy intensive industry in Britain. The strengths of this industrial basis are driving new approaches to energy generation and use led by Renew Tees Valley. This industry is unique in providing a large scale test bed for new energy technologies. Commercial investments are developing a global hub for bioenergy linking agriculture and research through to the largest biomass, biodiesel and bioethanol plants in the UK.
Further planned investment gives the Region a unique opportunity to develop clean coal technology, and one of the largest power generation investment projects ever in the UK is now being planned for Blyth.

PV cells image The Region is paying particular attention to developing skills and learning for future energy. There is a wide range of programmes in Colleges and Universities. School-based learning is of particular importance and one project involves the installation of renewable systems into every secondary school in the region.

The North East has also pioneered new approaches to energy management at the local scale. Geothermal Energy is now at the heart of the creation of a renewable energy village in Weardale and a new community based research centre in Easington. North East England is leading the way in the development and application of new energy technologies and is now working towards a goal of becoming one of the first carbon neutral regions in Europe.

Clothier image In May 2007 the government announced a shortlist of five bids to host the £1Bn Energy Technologies Institute, the shortlist includes Scotland, North West, Sheffield University, Midlands and the North East Consortium led by Newcastle University.