Birmingham Energy Institute

We are focused on creating technology and guiding policy which will shape the energy solutions of tomorrow.

UoB announces £50M investment into the BEI

The University of Birmingham has announced plans to build a net zero carbon smart building and significantly expand its energy research and education. The new building will contain state of the art research laboratories and form the cornerstone of the University’s vision for a ‘living laboratory’.

Changing the way we deliver, consume and think about energy

Nationally Recognised Areas of Research

  • Energy Storage

    A liquid air energy storage plant

    Our Energy Storage research explores how thermal and cryogenic energy-based technologies, coupled with appropriate policy, could play an important role in delivering an integrated energy system.

  • Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research

    A hydrogen fuel cell car parked outside Aston Webb

    Our 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.

  • Nuclear Education and Research

    The High Flux Accelerator Driven Neutron Facility

    Our Nuclear Education and Research brings together a multidisciplinary team from across the University to tackle fundamental nuclear industry problems. We are making a significant investment in the areas of Nuclear Engineering, Waste Management and Decommissioning.

  • Sustainable Cooling

    A supermarket fridge

    In an increasingly warming world, our work in Sustainable Cooling is striving to find sustainable, resilient and equitable solutions to global food loss, waste and the delivery of medical services. Together with partners we are building a roadmap for sustainable cooling and effective cold chain systems.

  • Strategic Elements and Critical Materials

    Battery for an electric vehicle

    Our experts 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.

  • Environmental and energy economics and management

    A view of Earth from space

    This research 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.

  • Sustainable Robotics

    The robots located at the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre

    A state-of-the-art facility, dedicated to advanced robotics solutions for challenges of major societal and economic importance.

  • Transport systems

    A blue train

    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.

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.

Decarbonising Birmingham

  • Creating Birmingham's Green Energy and Innovation Quarter

    Aerial view of East Birmingham

    The BEI are working with Birmingham City Council and Tyseley Energy Park to deliver a clear vision for the Tyseley Environmental Enterprise District that will transform East Birmingham into a Green Energy and Innovation Quarter.

  • 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.

  • Digital Twin

    A digital impression of the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre

    We are working with partners to develop a ‘digital twin’ that will have the potential to comprehensively model and test pathways to clean energy and net zero emissions within East Birmingham.

  • 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.

Making a wider impact

  • Influencing policy

    A view of Westminster

    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.

  • Decarbonising Heat

    A thermal scan of a house

    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. A National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat would enable the rapid scaling up of manufacturing, skills and deployment of heat solutions, all necessary to meet carbon reduction targets.

  • Our work in Dubai

    UoB Dubai Campus

    Our Dubai Energy Research Group are working to combat climate change, particularly in the areas of hydrogen fuel cells, heating and cooling systems and direct air capture.

  • Education

    Group of three post-graduate students

    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.

  • Empowering the Next Generation

    BEI interns gather outside the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre with Dr Emily Prestwood standing on the far left

    The Birmingham Energy Institute and Tyseley Energy Park are committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation. Through numerous projects and outreach events we have been collaborating with local residents, schools, colleges and universities to develop green skills and showcase career paths in the sustainable technologies sector.

Forthcoming Events

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