This month, businesses and the general public will have the opportunity to find out about the latest energy efficiency ideas and technologies as part of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2017 (19-25 June).
Several universities across the Midlands, which are part of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) initiative, are holding events and activities as part of the week, promoting good practice in energy-saving and the use of renewables.
This year’s theme is ‘clean energy’, and the events taking place highlight the need for the world to find a solution to the reliance on fossil fuels, and will explore some of the cutting-edge research taking place in the development of renewable energy technology.
Bioenergy
The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University is running a range of courses and events, including a two day masterclass taking place just prior to the week (14-15 June), focusing on bioenergy.
This covers the technical and commercial fundamentals of bioenergy for companies wanting to introduce new products and services. The University has released a short video which provides more information about the bioenergy masterclass.
In addition, a special event organised by EBRI is taking place in central Birmingham on 21st June, highlighting opportunities for businesses looking for new market opportunities in the £13 billion smart grid energy and £12 billion bioenergy markets. The latter event is designed for companies looking to develop new products and services, as well as those who simply want better understanding of the bioenergy market.
For more details and to register for the Aston University events, email bioenergy@aston.ac.uk or call 0121 204 3383.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Also in Birmingham, the University of Birmingham is running Discovery Days for school pupils. This includes the opportunity for children to find out about research and courses available at the University, and as part of this there will be a presentation on hydrogen fuel cells, (21st June) delivered by one of their leading experts in this field. For more information, download the Discovery Day brochure or email schools-liaison@bham.ac.uk
In the East Midlands, at the University of Nottingham, several events are taking place during EUSEW, including a breakfast seminar examining opportunities for businesses in the energy market (19 June); an evening lecture on Brexit and Energy (20 June); a tour of the University’s ‘creative energy homes’ to see the use of energy efficient technologies (21 June), and many other activities.
For details of all of the events taking place at the University of Nottingham during EU Sustainable Energy Week, visit the website.
Urgent need for clean technologies
Speaking about EU Sustainable Energy Week, Gordon Waddington, Chief Executive of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA), said: “There is an urgent need for the world to move towards the use of clean technologies in order to start to address the issue of climate change. At ERA, we are investing in state-of-the art research and facilities to support the move towards green energy.
“I would encourage business people and members of the public to take a look at the events on offer during EU Sustainable Energy Week, as they provide useful advice and information about practical steps that can be taken to save energy, and they also offer an opportunity to see some of the cutting-edge energy research being undertaken by leading experts.”
The partner organisations involved in the Energy Research Accelerator are the universities of Aston, Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick, as well as the British Geological Survey (BGS).
For more information about the work of the Energy Research Accelerator, visit www.era.ac.uk
-Ends-
Notes to Editors: More information is available from Nick King, Marketing and Communications Manager for ERA, on +44 (0)115 74 86727, or email nicholas.king@nottingham.ac.uk
The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)
ERA is a key programme within Midlands Innovation – a consortium of research intensive universities (universities of Aston, Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick), and the British Geological Survey (BGS), which has the overall aim of harnessing the Midlands’ combined research excellence and industry expertise to play a critical role in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the UK. Via Innovate UK, the government has committed an initial capital investment of £60m, and ERA has secured private sector co-investment of £120m. ERA’s initial priorities of Geo-Energy Systems, Integrated Energy Systems and Thermal Energy will help deliver the new technologies and behaviours that will open the avenues for its future development and demonstrate the transformative effect ERA can have across the energy spectrum.
About the University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with a “distinct” approach to internationalisation, which rests on those full-scale campuses in China and Malaysia, as well as a large presence in its home city.’ (Times Good University Guide 2016). It is also one of the most popular universities in the UK among graduate employers and was named University of the Year for Graduate Employment in the 2017 The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. It is ranked in the world’s top 75 by the QS World University Rankings 2015/16, and 8th in the UK for research power according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014. It has been voted the world’s greenest campus for four years running, according to Greenmetrics Ranking of World Universities.
About Energy for Business at Nottingham
Based at the University of Nottingham, Energy for Business can support SMEs that are energy innovators and those who want to become more energy efficient by forging links between businesses and world-class academics, researchers and graduate talent in the energy field at the University of Nottingham. Delivered by the Energy Innovation and Collaboration team and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), this Low Carbon project offers product innovation, business support and capital funding to SMEs in the D2N2 region. For more information, contact: energy@nottingham.ac.uk tel: 0115 74 84969. Visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/energyforbusiness
About Aston University
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston University has been always been a force for change. For more than 50 years the University has been transforming lives through pioneering research, innovative teaching and graduate employability success. Aston is renowned for its opportunity enabler through broad access and inspiring academics, providing education that is applied and has real impact on all areas of society, business and industry. True to Aston’s Coat of Arms which bears the word ‘Forward’, in 2016 Aston recently held a year-long anniversary celebration to recognise its heritage and achievements, but with a focus to drive forward the next stage in the University’s exciting journey. www.aston.ac.uk/50
About EBRI at Aston
EBRI’s capabilities cover the breadth of advanced thermal technologies and biological conversion processes. These include gasification, pyrolysis, catalysis, and the thermochemical refining of biomass, wastes and plastics to high quality products and fuels. Allied to this is EBRI’s expertise in energy systems, supply chains, techno-economic analysis, transport logistics, analytics, engines and power systems. The institute welcomes collaboration opportunities with academia, government bodies and industry both locally and internationally and actively bids for new research and industrial engagement projects to bring further benefits to the Midlands region. For more information go to www.aston.ac.uk/ebri or email bioenergy@aston.ac.uk
About the University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.
Midlands Innovation
Midlands Innovation is a world-class research and innovation partnership, combining the collective excellence of six leading universities in the heart of the UK – Aston, Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick. It unites the power of university research with the unique strengths of Midlands industry to drive cutting-edge research, innovation and skills development.