Changing the way we deliver, consume and think about energy

• About us

  

• Meet the team

  

• News

  

• Our collaborations

  

Nationally Recognised Centres of Excellence

• Energy storage

  

  Research at the Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) explores how energy storage, particularly thermal and cryogenic energy-based technologies, coupled with appropriate policy, could play an important role in delivering an integrated energy system.

• Nuclear education and research

  

  The Birmingham Centre for Nuclear Education and Research brings together a multidisciplinary team from across the University to tackle fundamental nuclear industry problems. The Centre is making a significant investment in the areas of Nuclear Engineering, Waste Management and Decommissioning.

• Strategic elements and critical materials

  

  Experts within the Birmingham Centre for Strategic Element and Critical Materials are developing new science to address the challenges posed by supply constraints on strategic and critical elements. We are working on the development of new recycling processes to enable the recovery of critical materials from end of life products, mining wastes and even road dust.

• Fuel cell and hydrogen research

  

  Our research at the Birmingham Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research is driving both the technology and thinking required to solve some of the challenges facing the UK, as it seeks to develop sustainable solutions to the designing of future cities, energy and transportation.

Nationally-leading Research Areas

• The cold economy

  

  Effective cooling is essential to preserve food and medicine. It underpins industry and economic growth, is key to sustainable urbanisation but is energy intensive. Our research in this area explores the technology and the societal, business and financial models needed to deliver sustainable cooling for all.

• Transport systems

  

  The transport sector is one of the world’s largest consumers of energy and at present is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Our engineering and environmental scientists are researching alternative energy sources and optimising efficiency whilst investigating the resilience of the UK transport network to climate change.

• Environmental and energy economics and management

  

  This centre brings together individuals from a variety of disciplines to examine the complex relationship between economic activity and the environment. The geographic scope of the centre's interests and activities are as global as the environmental issues themselves.

• Research publications

  

  We regularly produce videos, brochures and research that analyse the major challenges in the energy sector. Our publications set out practical steps for changing the way we deliver, consume and think about energy.

Working with Industry

• Tyseley Energy Park

  

  The BEI is supporting Tyseley Energy Park’s mission is to transform clean energy innovation in Birmingham and the West Midlands region. We are applying our research and working with industry to deliver low and zero carbon power, transport, heat and waste for a greener, cleaner, healthier Birmingham.

• ATETA

  

  The ATETA project offers funded support from the BEI across a range of technical disciplines. The project enables businesses to access world-class expertise and laboratory facilities for testing and evaluation.

• Climate Innovation Platform

  

  The BEI in partnership with the Energy Systems Catapult, is looking for business committed to driving energy technology innovation to join the Climate Innovation Platform (CIP). Supported by HSBC UK, CIP offers businesses a package of tailored support to drive the commercialisation of innovative energy products and services.

• Energy Incubation Hub

  

  The Energy Incubation Hub offers integrated packages of support to drive business growth amongst low-carbon energy businesses. These exciting, new initiatives bring together the office and workshop space available at TEP with and the energy expertise and research facilities of the University of Birmingham.

Making an impact

• Powering Birmingham

  

  The BEI is working in partnership with stakeholders across the city of Birmingham, exploring bold and coordinated approaches to tackling energy-related challenges and drive the change needed, providing academic leadership and support.

• Influencing policy

  

  The BEI draws on the broad capabilities and expertise at the University of Birmingham and its strong relationship with collaborators from academia and industry, to produce studies and policy documents addressing the challenges facing today’s energy system.

• Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre

  

  The £8.5m Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre (BEIC) has been designed to promote innovation in waste, energy, and low carbon vehicle systems. Located at Tyseley Energy Park, the BEIC is helping deliver a greener and cleaner ecosystem for Birmingham and the West Midlands.

• National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat

  

  The decarbonisation of heat is the major energy challenge that the UK faces over the coming decades and for the West Midlands region, this presents a major opportunity.

• Education

  

  Technology and policy offer key routes for the delivery of transformational change. However, without the creation of talent and skills, the capacity to deliver the change is missing. The BEI has developed a range of educational programmes, with a track record of delivering quality graduates to create a talent pipeline.