The University of Birmingham, in partnership with the Universities of Nottingham and Loughborough, has been short-listed to host the UK’s new Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

The Institute will speed up the deployment of new low-carbon energy technologies, including the efficient production and use of energy.  It will increase the level of funding and provide a strategic focus in the UK for low carbon energy research and development as well as promote international technology collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Professor Michael Sterling, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, says, ‘We are delighted that the Midlands Consortium has been short-listed as a host for the ETI.  It is a real tribute to the achievements of more than 200 energy researchers across the Universities of Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham.  We will now be working hard on the next stage of the bidding process, with support from Advantage West Midlands and the East Midlands Development Agency, to bring this important institute to our region.  We hope to make a real contribution to the task of reducing climate change.’

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said, ‘The Energy Technologies Institute is a unique venture.  With a potential billion pound budget, it is bringing together government and some of the world’s biggest companies and will help to establish the UK as one of the leaders in global clean energy development. 

‘The host will be the base for the Institute’s Director and support staff and we anticipate it developing into a strategic focus for low carbon technology innovation in the UK and for international collaboration.’

The ETI brings together some of the world’s biggest companies – BP, E.ON UK, Shell, EDF Energy, Rolls-Royce, Caterpillar, and Scottish and Southern Energy Group.  Their funding contribution, along with Government, provides the Institute with a potential budget of over £600 million over a lifetime of a minimum of 10 years.  Additional private sector partners are being identified to match the Government’s commitment of £500m over the next decade.

Four other consortia have also been selected for the shortlist and representatives from the funding organisations will now visit each of the consortia and make a final recommendation to the ETI board in the Autumn.

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Notes to Editors

More information is available at www.dti.gov.uk/science/science-funding/eti

The other university consortia short-listed for the ETI are:

North East Consortium - University of Newcastle with Durham, Northumbria, NaREC (New and Renewable Energy Centre) and the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)

North West Consortium - University of Manchester with Lancaster, Liverpool and NWDA (North West Development Agency)

Energy Technology Partnership from Scotland - Universities of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Heriot-Watt

Sheffield University (Advanced Manufacturing Park)

For further information

Kate Chapple, Press Officer, University of Birmingham, tel 0121 414 2772 or 07789 921164.