Tyseley Energy Park

Located in East Birmingham, Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) is on a mission to transform clean energy innovation in Birmingham and the West Midlands by stimulating and demonstrating new technologies and turning them in to fully commercially viable energy systems that will contribute to Birmingham’s commitments to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030.

An Introduction to Tyseley Energy Park (Video transcript)

Developed by Webster and Horsfall’s 300- year old manufacturing business, TEP is working with the University of Birmingham and partners from across the region to create an energy and waste nexus for the city of Birmingham. Together these partners will help shape the way the City of Birmingham develops infrastructure for renewable heat and power, energy storage, clean transport fuels in combination with advanced waste processing.

The University of Birmingham, TEP and the wider development partners are collaborating on a number of research and development projects to:

  • develop a transport refuelling infrastructure including hydrogen and electric vehicle charging at scale
  • deliver heat decarbonisation solutions to neighbourhoods in East Birmingham to alleviate fuel poverty
  • create platforms for business incubation and innovative industrial ecologies
  • pilot circular economy approaches in urban/industrial settings
  • rehabilitate green and blue infrastructure for community benefit
  • establish programmes of community and public engagement.

Tyseley Energy Park has a clear vision for the future. A future that sees low and zero carbon power, heat, transport and waste and recycling solutions come together to make a positive difference to the communities of Birmingham. (Video transcript)

Clean Energy Growth Masterplan for Tyseley

Map showcasing various energy technologies at Tyseley Energy ParkTyseley Energy Park and the University of Birmingham are supporting Birmingham City Council with the development of a Clean Energy Growth Masterplan for Tyseley, building on the objectives established within the East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy.

The Master plan will take advantage of key assets and initiatives already underway within the area such as long-established transport routes, 230 local businesses, the Tyseley Energy Recovery Facility as well as the low and zero carbon businesses and energy systems being developed at Tyseley Energy Park. The master plan will:

  • Draw together strategies for power heating, transport and waste processing in a way that addresses key societal challenges as part of the transition to a zero-carbon energy future.
  • Create a road map for energy technologies and solutions that can form innovative industrial ecologies through clustering and co-locating of assets and energy consumers.
  • Deliver a planning framework that will create innovation-led regional growth and new jobs and training in integrated waste, energy and transport sectors, and new, green manufacturing and engineering industry.
  • Provide a platform to share learning and knowledge in the local community, city and region, and with cities across the UK.
  • Develop a model for collaborative working that is informed by technology innovators, academics, scientists, project developers, proactive public sector bodies and the community to ensure opportunities for clean growth are fully integrated and support local and city-wide initiatives and objectives.

The Masterplan will create a single vision for the area which can be used to guide its future development.

UK’s First Low and Zero Carbon Refuelling Station

Car being refuelled at ITM Power pump with HydrogenThe UK’s first low and zero carbon refuelling station is strategically located between the city centre and Birmingham airport and supplies public and commercial vehicles with a range of zero/low carbon, and cleaner fuels. These included hydrogen (ITM Power), compressed natural gas (CNG Fuels) and drop-in biodiesels such as Shell GTL fuel (Certas Energy) as well as commercial scale electric chargers. This station will also be the refuelling site for Birmingham City Council’s 20 new hydrogen busses.  

By working collaboratively with Birmingham City Council and harnessing the innovation coming out of the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre, TEP has the opportunity to deliver a first of a kind low and zero carbon re-fuelling facility that will support the market expansion into low and zero carbon fuels, help the city meet its decarbonisation objectives and support the introduction of its clean air zone.

Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre (BEIC)

Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre BuildingThis University of Birmingham has created a sustainable energy research and innovation centre that is based at Tyseley Energy Park. The BEIC promotes innovation in waste, energy and low carbon vehicle systems across the West Midlands.

It is the home of R&D, benchmarking and validation, business support, manufacturing systems integration and modelling expertise across the (public/private/academic) energy, waste and transportation systems sectors all in the one facility.

Working with existing energy and transportation system stakeholders, the BEIC is stimulateing collaborative research and development projects to overcome local energy and low carbon transport challenges, demonstrating new and emerging technologies.

Incubation Support

The University of Birmingham is supporting two incubation support programmes that offer integrated packages of support to drive business growth amongst low-carbon energy businesses. Both initiatives offer incubation space based at Tyseley Energy Park, providing access to renewable power and a network of like minded companies. 

The Climate Innovation Platform (CIP)

The University of Birmingham in partnership with the Energy Systems Catapult, is looking for businesses 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.

CIP will support 100 SMEs over a four-year incubation programme, commencing in July 2021.

This funded programme focuses on short term 6-12 support is well aimed at SME’s beginning their journey to commercialisation.

Energy Transition Centre (ETC)

Funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership the ETC offers newly refurbished office, laboratory and industrial units for businesses who can build on the innovation and research activity located within the recently constructed Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre (BEIC).

By clustering this activity at TEP the intention is to enable a pathway for businesses to improve their competitiveness, develop collaborative opportunities and deploy game changing low carbon technologies across the region.

This funded programme focuses on mid term 12-36 month support is well aimed at SME’s establishing their businesses.

From July 2021, nine newly refurbished office/lab spaces will be available ranging in size from 250sqft to 800sqft. 

A range of larger industrial units will be available from the summer of 2022.

Businesses qualifying for acceptance must be a SME interested in low and zero carbon power, transport, heat, waste or recycling solutions.

Speaking of the partnership between the University of Birmingham and TEP, Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute said: ‘We are extremely excited by the opportunity of working with Webster and Horsfall in the development of Tyseley Energy Park. This is a fantastic opportunity for the University to put back into the City of Birmingham as it develops as a place which is at the centre of the energy transition in the UK; the Energy Capital.’

David Horsfall, Director of Webster and Horsfall added:  ‘We are delighted to welcome the University of Birmingham to Tyseley Energy Park and by working together we have a great opportunity to create clean energy technologies and infrastructure.  We recognise that the University of Birmingham is one of the top Universities in the UK and by working in collaboration with both the public and private sector as well as a world class academic institution, Tyseley Energy Park will drive forward change and attract major investment into this region.

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