Birmingham Energy Institute Newsletter - May 2016


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Welcome to the latest edition of the Birmingham Energy Institute bi-monthly newsletter.

In this edition, I am pleased to highlight, among a number of updates, a major £180m fund, backed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, designed to drive cutting-edge research, innovation and skills across the Midlands Engine. £10m funding from the Thermal Energy Research Accelerator (T-ERA), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), University of Birmingham and Loughborough University has ensured the development of the ‘Factory in a Box’ concept that will deploy custom-designed mini-factories into established manufacturing operations across the world. 

Finally, don’t forget to visit our blog, for the latest thought-provoking comment from academics and industry experts on the energy agenda as well as the latest research news from the Institute. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch via energy@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

As ever, I look forward to receiving your thoughts, comments and opinions, but, most of all, your involvement.

Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute

NEWS

New £180m fund New £180m fund to accelerate energy research across the Midlands Engine

 A major new fund designed to drive cutting-edge research, innovation and skills across the Midlands Engine was officially launched in April 2016 with significant backing from Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) is the first project to be delivered by the “Midlands Innovation” initiative; a collaboration of six leading universities across the Midlands. It will tackle some of the biggest energy challenges facing the UK and investigate how to make the best use of the resources available by being more efficient and innovative whilst producing affordable, safe energy.

 

 Factory in a box launch'Factory in a Box'  Launch  

£10m funding backed from T-ERA, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), University of Birmingham and Loughborough University have ensured the development of the ‘Factory in a Box’ concept that will deploy custom-designed mini-factories into established manufacturing operations across the world.

The partnership believes this will reduce the significant expense of setting up stand-alone production facilities, while also giving UK companies the opportunity to establish manufacturing footprints in new markets relatively quickly.

 

enery storageBirmingham leads on shaping energy systems of the future 

The University of Birmingham will lead a multi-institutional £5M project in Multi-scale Analysis for Facilities for Energy Storage (MANIFEST) starting in September 2016. 

The project, which will draw on the collective expertise and facilities that exist in the UK, will address research questions that span the storage technologies currently being developed and will tackle key issues in the use of this technology. 

 

Nuclear awardNuclear Physicist awarded Institute of Nuclear Physics Career Contribution Prize

Professor Kevin Hesketh, Senior Research Fellow, National Nuclear Laboratory and Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham has been awarded the Institute of Physics (IOP) Nuclear Industry Group Career Contribution Prize 2016, for his outstanding contribution to research, governance and training in the UK and international nuclear industries.

The prestigious Nuclear Contribution Prize is awarded to physicists who have spent a substantial portion of their career in the nuclear industry. 

COMMENTS 

9 ways steel could build a greener economy9 ways steel could build a greener economy 

Dr Gavin Harper, Energy Development Manager for the Birmingham Energy Institute, discusses ways steel could build a greener economy

“Steel might be the largest industrial carbon dioxide emitter, but Britain’s troubled industry could be a big part of a cleaner, greener future. By using steel to build new infrastructure for renewable energy, the UK could create a virtuous circle of improvement for its industry and growth.”