Energy Pillar
The Energy & Environment pillar is one of three key components of the strategy for success. The pillar’s core activity centres on the advancement of energy capabilities in the region, which includes; strengthening of energy research and technology, building on existing energy centres in the region and the development of energy connectors to assist growth of translational research into commercial opportunity.
As part of the wider innovative strategy, the energy & environment pillar aims to incorporate a set of key principles which feed down into the work conducted within this framework - this includes boosting private sector research & development, providing grounding for skills development and investment into strategic priorities.
Innovative initiatives, established to carry out this agenda are primarily delivered via the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) , Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) , The Welding Institute (TWI) , Renew Tees Valley (RTV) and supported by the One North East Business and Industry Teams.
The focus for pillar activity is based upon; improving the efficiency and reducing emissions from fossil fuel derived energy generation and distribution, enabling widespread efficient and low carbon distributed generation and private wire networks in the region, progression of microgeneration technologies, reducing the environmental impacts of products and services through excellence in design and innovation and reducing the social impacts of access to low carbon and efficient resources.
A number of new technology platforms have been identified including photovoltaics, fuel cells, bioenergy, geothermal, embedded generation and distribution and carbon capture and storage; these are being taken forward through investment in translational research and infrastructure. Active companies range from large power industry corporates such as Siemens , CE Electric , PB Power and Alcan through to regionally based companies including Romag , Econnect , The Engineering Business , Eaga and SMD and start-ups such as GenX and EASIgeothermal. The Universities in the North East have leading capabilities including Durham (engineering, photovoltaics, earth sciences and social impacts of energy), Newcastle (marine engineering, electronic engineering, fuel cells and bioenergy) and Northumbria (photovoltaics, design and built environment).
Through regional partnerships and successful joint working the aim is that this strategy will result in greater high technology enterprise in the North East of England as a value-adding source of competitive advantage for businesses in the region. In addition, the contribution of energy and environment innovation will assist in the closure of the North East region’s GDP gap.
The Energy Technology web page provides a comprehensive overview of current activities and capabilities in the region and provides appropriate web links and contacts for further information about the North East energy sector.
