SPECIFIC Tranche 1: Buildings as Power Stations
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: College of Engineering
Abstract
Every day more solar energy falls on the Earth's surface than the whole of human kind will use in 27 years. At this point we do little to harvest this energy. Buildings are major consumers of energy and yet they are often clad in metal and glass, both materials which can be capable of sophisticated engineering. In the UK annual production of metal and glass for construction of the outside faces of buildings is running at around 300 million square metres per annum. The aim of SPECIFIC as an Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) is to rapidly adapt excellent small scale devices that have been demonstrated in UK universities, scale up their application and ensure their stability so that the outsides of building can become active surfaces, essentially converting buildings into power stations. The key feature will be to combine technologies such that the panels will generate, store and release energy. This will create a whole new manufacturing sector for the UK as well as making a serious contribution towards our renewable energy targets and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Already as part of the IKCs activity in the first nine months we have produced demonstrator systems at an A4 scale to show to architects and building owners to gauge the market attractiveness. A major activity is underway with partners including Tata, Dyesol, Imperial College, Bangor and Bath University to 'industrialize' the manufacture of a new type of solar cell (the dye sensitized solar cell). The advantage this system has is it works well in lower light conditions and with low angles of illumination so making it ideal for application in Europe. A key is what to do with this electricity however since it is often generated when we do not need it. As such a key component of the next phase of the SPECIFIC IKC is to work with partners to develop a suitable storage option. This is a very different challenge to developing batteries for a mobile phone or computer. The key criteria are that it must last up to 40 years, be rechargeable every day, be made from sustainable and non toxic elements and have relatively low cost. This eliminates most of the more modern battery technologies and the IKC will be working on a revision of the original 'Edison' cells based on Nickel and Iron with support from Sheffield University and Tata (iron) and Vale Inco (Nickel). Another key aspect that often puts people off renewables is the appearance on a building. As such over the next two years we will be setting up work with colleagues at the Welsh School of Architecture and with product designers to make sure the products that UK industry produce are not only technically excellent but also aesthetically pleasing. In parallel we are building a pilot manufacturing facility next to the Innovation Centre to allow demonstration scale products to be made which can be attached and trialled on real buildings to evaluate their performance.
Already as part of the IKCs activity in the first nine months we have produced demonstrator systems at an A4 scale to show to architects and building owners to gauge the market attractiveness. A major activity is underway with partners including Tata, Dyesol, Imperial College, Bangor and Bath University to 'industrialize' the manufacture of a new type of solar cell (the dye sensitized solar cell). The advantage this system has is it works well in lower light conditions and with low angles of illumination so making it ideal for application in Europe. A key is what to do with this electricity however since it is often generated when we do not need it. As such a key component of the next phase of the SPECIFIC IKC is to work with partners to develop a suitable storage option. This is a very different challenge to developing batteries for a mobile phone or computer. The key criteria are that it must last up to 40 years, be rechargeable every day, be made from sustainable and non toxic elements and have relatively low cost. This eliminates most of the more modern battery technologies and the IKC will be working on a revision of the original 'Edison' cells based on Nickel and Iron with support from Sheffield University and Tata (iron) and Vale Inco (Nickel). Another key aspect that often puts people off renewables is the appearance on a building. As such over the next two years we will be setting up work with colleagues at the Welsh School of Architecture and with product designers to make sure the products that UK industry produce are not only technically excellent but also aesthetically pleasing. In parallel we are building a pilot manufacturing facility next to the Innovation Centre to allow demonstration scale products to be made which can be attached and trialled on real buildings to evaluate their performance.
Planned Impact
The vision for SPECIFIC is a paradigm shift in energy generation through developing low cost macro scale micro generation systems based on a variety of architectural solutions to capture solar energy. The impact map for 2020 is summarised below and in the attached annex this is shown diagramatically together with pathways to achieving impact.
SPECIFIC: will be a self funded research development and training facility:
Employing 22 Technology Transfer fellows
Hosting 30 students with partner universities
Self funded revenue streams of £3m PA
New equipment investment annually £200k
SPECIFIC Wealth Creation; a major theme is creating a new green technology business in the UK based on energy from buildings
Target 20 million square metres per annum solar energy manufacturing
500 (+) manufacturing jobs
1500 (+) supply industry jobs
5000 (+) installation sales maintenance jobs
New billion pound manufacturing sector
Export potential for off grid power
SPECIFIC People; a key output are the potential employees and technologists for the proposed new industry sector
Minimum of 40 high skilled postgrads
135 trained industry staff
Established modular training programme
New part time schemes for industry delegates
SPECIFIC: will be a self funded research development and training facility:
Employing 22 Technology Transfer fellows
Hosting 30 students with partner universities
Self funded revenue streams of £3m PA
New equipment investment annually £200k
SPECIFIC Wealth Creation; a major theme is creating a new green technology business in the UK based on energy from buildings
Target 20 million square metres per annum solar energy manufacturing
500 (+) manufacturing jobs
1500 (+) supply industry jobs
5000 (+) installation sales maintenance jobs
New billion pound manufacturing sector
Export potential for off grid power
SPECIFIC People; a key output are the potential employees and technologists for the proposed new industry sector
Minimum of 40 high skilled postgrads
135 trained industry staff
Established modular training programme
New part time schemes for industry delegates
Organisations
- Swansea University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Solar Press (Collaboration)
- LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- European Coil Coating Association (ECCA) (Collaboration)
- Palliser Engineers Ltd (Collaboration)
- IQE Europe Limited (Collaboration)
- Vector International (Collaboration)
- LUX-TSI (Collaboration)
- G24 Power (Collaboration)
- NSG Nippon Sheet Glass Pilkington (Collaboration)
- Tata Steel Europe (Collaboration)
- GridDuck (Collaboration)
- Eight19 (Collaboration)
- Tata Steel (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Pilkington Glass (Collaboration)
- BASF (Collaboration)
Publications
Baker J
(2015)
Impedance Characteristics of Transparent GNP-Pt Ink Catalysts for Flexible Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
in Journal of The Electrochemical Society
Baker J
(2014)
Flexographic printing of graphene nanoplatelet ink to replace platinum as counter electrode catalyst in flexible dye sensitised solar cell
in Materials Research Innovations
Bryant D
(2014)
A transparent conductive adhesive laminate electrode for high-efficiency organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Bryant D
(2013)
Electrochemical Analysis for the Realization of Low Temperature Processed ZnO Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
in ECS Transactions
Bryant D
(2014)
Ultrafast near-infrared curing of PEDOT:PSS
in Organic Electronics
Carnie M
(2014)
Performance enhancement of solution processed perovskite solar cells incorporating functionalized silica nanoparticles
in J. Mater. Chem. A
Carnie M
(2012)
Triiodide Photooxidation and Subsequent Regeneration in UVA Exposed Nano-Structured TiO 2 Solar Cell Devices
in MRS Proceedings
Carnie M
(2013)
Ultra-fast sintered TiO 2 films in dye-sensitized solar cells: phase variation, electron transport and recombination
in J. Mater. Chem. A
Carnie M
(2012)
UV Filtering of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: The Effects of Varying the UV Cut-Off upon Cell Performance and Incident Photon-to-Electron Conversion Efficiency
in International Journal of Photoenergy
Carnie M
(2012)
Photocatalytic Oxidation of Triiodide in UVA-Exposed Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
in International Journal of Photoenergy
Description | As part of this project we have developed the concept of a Building as a Powerstation where a building surface can make heat or electricity from the suns energy which is then stored in the building for release later under controlled conditions. This builds on earlier work on PV to combine low cost PV with battery solutions and the heating technologies developed as part of another EPSRC project. Whole buildings have now been developed to demonstrate the benefit of generation, storage and release including grid disconnected examples. Solar thermal collectors have been developed based on a transpired solar perforated panel in which the paint has been pigmented with new materials which allow it to get much hotter (and so are more efficient) Initially combining the solar collector with a water tank has allowed buildings to reduce energy consumption by 80%. In the next phase of the programme glazed collectors are increasing solar efficiency further and are combined with a new solar thermochemical storage system which is thirty times more efficient that water and is switchable; the equivalent of a heat 'battery'. |
Exploitation Route | Demonstration buildings are being constructed in 2014/5. These include a grid disconnected garden pod, a low cost demonstration house and a solar thermal system retrofitted to a thirty year old shed. |
Sectors | Construction Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
URL | http://www.specific.eu.com |
Description | The SPECIFIC IKC was established in 2010 in the emerging technology area of functional industrial coatings with an initial £5m grant from EPSRC and TSB, £4m support from the Welsh Government together with support from Swansea University (£4m) and Industry (£6m). Its ultimate purpose is to nucleate and accelerate the creation of a new UK industry in disruptive coating technologies resulting in economic growth, initially through the use of 'Buildings as Powerstations'. This has been achieved in collaboration with established and nascent UK businesses by creating a critical mass of research and innovation expertise and establishing a National Centre of Excellence in Functional Coatings. As the value of products affected by Surface Engineering and Advanced Coatings in construction in the UK is £25bn pa, the potential for long term economic impact is significant. In its first full three years of operation the following is a summary of progress: • SPECIFIC established in a distinctive and flexible facility (Figure 1) incorporating labs, innovation spaces and production facilities, all operated at industry standard and available for third party access. • Three fully functioning re-configurable manufacturing lines in a bespoke clean room environment (Figure 1) • Growth from 10 to 137 staff and research students as of 9th July 2014. • Core industrial partner support of three multinationals (Tata Steel, NSG (Pilkington), BASF) £5m. • Collaboration projects with 32 companies of all sizes. • Leveraged research and development support of £40m. • CDT support to underpin SPECIFIC (EPSRC and WG support totalling £6.6m) to 2023. • 105 scientific papers, 95 conference presentations. • Intellectual asset portfolio including one trademark, 29 patent applications, 61 technology disclosures and know-how across the technology domain. • Two companies created (SPECIFIC Innovations and BIPV Ltd) and 1 licence (Hot Tile) agreed. • Over 2000 stakeholder visits to SPECIFIC and Materials Live outreach to promote SPECIFIC vision. • Training provided to 229 industrial employees (Work based learning). • 27 Doctoral graduates employed in partner industries. • 16 Doctoral graduates employed in partner University projects. • Two Building Scale Demonstrator Projects. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Chemicals,Construction,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | THE NET ZERO CARBON BUILDING STANDARD CALL FOR EVIDENCE |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.nzcbuildings.co.uk/ |
Description | A4B - InvestorG8 - BIPV |
Amount | £44,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | IG8 - BIPV |
Organisation | Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | A4B Capital - SUPER |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2013 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | Adventures in Energy - A new concept for advanced large-scale energy storage: secondary batteries with seawater as open self-replenishing cathode |
Amount | £415,907 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/N013727/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 12/2018 |
Description | Brian Mercer Feasibility Award |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MF150163 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Crown Packaging Lecturer |
Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | n/a |
Organisation | Crown Packaging UK |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | EPSRC - PVTEAM |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/L017792/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 02/2018 |
Description | EPSRC - SUPERGEN Supersolar Challenge |
Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J017361/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2014 |
End | 10/2017 |
Description | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Industrial Functional Coatings: COATED2 |
Amount | £2,613,845 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/L015099/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2015 |
End | 11/2022 |
Description | EPSRC Managed Call - Manufacturing Advanced Functional Materials - SPACE-Modules |
Amount | £2,513,161 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M015254/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 02/2020 |
Description | Energy Catalyst - Mid Stage - Round 2 - Hi-PROSPECTS |
Amount | £1,333,356 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 102470 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Exploitation models for SPECIFIC IKC |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 920037 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2016 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Grant Opportunities - SCION |
Amount | $2,000,000 (USD) |
Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | HEFCW - Sêr Cymru - Sêr Solar |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2013 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | Industrial Support (cash) - BASF |
Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | n/a |
Organisation | BASF |
Department | BASF Coatings |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Materials Science 2016 Venture Prize |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Armourers & Brasiers |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Newton Fund |
Amount | £5,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P003605/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Research Fund for Coal and Steel |
Amount | € 150,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 425000 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 02/2019 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC Phase 2 - EPSRC £2M |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/N020863/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | SPECIFIC Phase 2 - IUK - £2M |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 920036 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | SPECIFIC+ - WEFO £15M |
Amount | £15,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 80892 |
Organisation | Government of Wales |
Department | Welsh European Funding Office |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Senior Industrial Fellow - MPI/Tata Steel |
Amount | £189,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | n/a |
Organisation | Materials Processing Institute |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 02/2019 |
Description | Ser Cymru 2 - Fellowships |
Amount | £225,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 80761-SU-017 |
Organisation | Government of Wales |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2016 |
End | 11/2019 |
Description | Ser Cymru 2 - Fellowships - SJ |
Amount | £93,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Wales |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2016 |
End | 11/2018 |
Description | Ser Cymru Capital Equipment Grant - SER SOLAR CELL PRINTING AND STABILITY TESTING FACILITIES |
Amount | £152,436 (GBP) |
Funding ID | SCCEG-03 |
Organisation | Welsh Assembly |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2015 |
End | 03/2016 |
Description | Ser Cymru Industry Fellowship - ASHIBA: ADVANCED HEAT STORAGE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND BUILDING APPLICATIONS |
Amount | £190,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NRNC08 |
Organisation | Welsh Assembly |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Ser Cymru NRN - DEVELOPMENT OF STABLE ORGANIC SOLAR CELLS |
Amount | £58,800 (GBP) |
Organisation | Welsh Assembly |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | Ser Cymru NRN - IDENTIFYING DEGRADATION MECHANISMS AND DESIGN OF SYSTEMS FOR PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS IN OUTDOOR BIPV APPLICATIONS (SPECIFIC) |
Amount | £58,800 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NRN094 |
Organisation | Welsh Assembly |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Solar Photovoltaic Academic Research Consortium II |
Amount | £5,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Wales |
Department | Welsh European Funding Office |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Super Solar Hub - ADDRESSING THE SCALE UP CHALLENGES FOR FLEXIBLE PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS |
Amount | £151,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J017361/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2014 |
End | 04/2016 |
Description | Supergen Solar Challenge - High resolution mapping of performance and degradation mechanisms in printable photovoltaic devices |
Amount | £1,035,857 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M025020/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2015 |
End | 07/2018 |
Description | WG - Sêr Cymru - Sêr Solar |
Amount | £4,500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Wales |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2013 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | WG NRN Research Grant |
Amount | £58,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Welsh Assembly |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 02/2016 |
Description | G24 - Manufacture and Characterisation of DSSC |
Organisation | G24 Power |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The team have applied novel rapid manufacturing and scaling processes to the materials set of G24 |
Collaborator Contribution | G24 have assisted in analysing the results of the work in comparison to their standard processes |
Impact | Detailed commercial reports wrt to analysis of G24 materials and devices |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | GridDuck - Heated Floors |
Organisation | GridDuck |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Working with GridDuck as lead partner, a project to examine the suitability of small heat loads for demand side response has been secured via BEIS's recent competition/tender "Demand Side Response for Non-Domestic Buildings". GridDuck and Upside Energy are both start-ups active in DSR. Phase 1 will commence in October, if successful, Phase 2 will use SPECIFIC's demonstration and scale up facilities. The work will include the heated floor tile as well as other heating loads. |
Collaborator Contribution | Working with GridDuck as lead partner, a project to examine the suitability of small heat loads for demand side response has been secured via BEIS |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | IQE - Advanced Silicon-Perovskite Solar Tandem Cells (ASPEKTS) |
Organisation | IQE Europe Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Scoping of research projects, preparation of collaborative funding applications. Access to facilities and technical staff. |
Collaborator Contribution | Scoping of research projects, preparation of collaborative funding applications. EPSRC iCASE studentship. Access to facilities and technical staff. |
Impact | EPSRC iCASE studentship |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Loughborough University - SUPERSOLAR Hub |
Organisation | Loughborough University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Appointed as an associate member of the SUPERSOLAR Hub and attend technical meetings. |
Collaborator Contribution | The hub represents the interests of EPSRC in the area of solar energy research an provides a coordinating role. |
Impact | We have successfully applied for and received funding from a Challenge call issued by the hub |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Palliser Engineers Ltd - Optical Transfer of Heat with Electrical and Light Output |
Organisation | Palliser Engineers Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | development of low cost CdTe to convert short solar wavelengths and utilise most of the remaining 41% to achieve temperatures of 150 deg C using novel optics. This enables absorption and adsorption heat driven technologies to be run efficiently for affordable air-conditioning and refrigeration. SPECIFIC will address the heat profiles needed to interface with thermochemical heat storage salts, including the interface and control aspects of applying their techniques for relatively short-term heat cycles in domestic or industrial conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Project leadership and research direction. Collaborative R&D. |
Impact | project work recently began - too early to report outcomes |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC - Phase 2 - Strategic Industry Partners |
Organisation | BASF |
Department | BASF Coatings |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Development of a range of coatings for steel and glass to functionalise the building envelop. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to industrial expertise, equipment, facilities and project steering. Direct funding of staff and doctoral students. |
Impact | multi-disciplinary collaboration involving: Materials Science / Engineering Physics Chemistry Architecture Technology Transfer and Commercialisation |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC - Phase 2 - Strategic Industry Partners |
Organisation | Pilkington Glass |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Development of a range of coatings for steel and glass to functionalise the building envelop. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to industrial expertise, equipment, facilities and project steering. Direct funding of staff and doctoral students. |
Impact | multi-disciplinary collaboration involving: Materials Science / Engineering Physics Chemistry Architecture Technology Transfer and Commercialisation |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC - Phase 2 - Strategic Industry Partners |
Organisation | TATA Steel |
Department | Tata Limited UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Development of a range of coatings for steel and glass to functionalise the building envelop. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to industrial expertise, equipment, facilities and project steering. Direct funding of staff and doctoral students. |
Impact | multi-disciplinary collaboration involving: Materials Science / Engineering Physics Chemistry Architecture Technology Transfer and Commercialisation |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC - Strategic Partners |
Organisation | BASF |
Department | BASF Coatings |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | TBC |
Collaborator Contribution | Secondments of senior staff to SPECIFIC IKC: CEO of SPECIFIC IKC - Mr Kevin Bygate Industrial Director - Mr Paul Jones Industrial Postgraduate Supervisor - Dr Jon Elvins SPECIFIC IKC Steering Committee and Board - Simone Vooijs: Director Technical, Downstream Operations, Tata Steel Europe Funding for Engineering Doctorate students and PDRAs |
Impact | TBC |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC - Strategic Partners |
Organisation | NSG Nippon Sheet Glass Pilkington |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | TBC |
Collaborator Contribution | Secondments of senior staff to SPECIFIC IKC: CEO of SPECIFIC IKC - Mr Kevin Bygate Industrial Director - Mr Paul Jones Industrial Postgraduate Supervisor - Dr Jon Elvins SPECIFIC IKC Steering Committee and Board - Simone Vooijs: Director Technical, Downstream Operations, Tata Steel Europe Funding for Engineering Doctorate students and PDRAs |
Impact | TBC |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | SPECIFIC IKC - Strategic Partners |
Organisation | Tata Steel Europe |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | TBC |
Collaborator Contribution | Secondments of senior staff to SPECIFIC IKC: CEO of SPECIFIC IKC - Mr Kevin Bygate Industrial Director - Mr Paul Jones Industrial Postgraduate Supervisor - Dr Jon Elvins SPECIFIC IKC Steering Committee and Board - Simone Vooijs: Director Technical, Downstream Operations, Tata Steel Europe Funding for Engineering Doctorate students and PDRAs |
Impact | TBC |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | BASF |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | European Coil Coating Association (ECCA) |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | LUX-TSI |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | NSG Nippon Sheet Glass Pilkington |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | Tata Steel Europe |
Department | Cogent Power |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | Tata Steel Europe |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | Tata Steel Europe |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | Tata Steel Europe |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | Tata Steel Europe |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | STRIP Company Contribution |
Organisation | Vector International |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 50+ MRes Students enrolled to date 50+ EngD Students enrolled to date |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-Funding for MRes / Engineering Doctorate students, including fees, stipend, travel and consumables. |
Impact | Many students have graduated some of which have gained employment with the collaborating companies or have remained with the research team as post-doc. The collaborating companies have benefited through improved materials, processing and technological innovations. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Solar Press - OPV Scale-up |
Organisation | Solar Press |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | tbc |
Collaborator Contribution | Supply of specialist equipment at highly preferential rates |
Impact | tbc |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | eight19 (SUNRISE) |
Organisation | Eight19 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | development of collaborative research funding applications stability and processing of organic solar cells |
Collaborator Contribution | development of collaborative research funding applications |
Impact | funding applications |
Start Year | 2017 |
Company Name | BIPV |
Description | BIPV manufactures integrated photovoltaic (solar) panels for commercial, industrial and residential properties. |
Year Established | 2013 |
Impact | Developed three PV products for different applications for converting buildings into power stations. Has raised over £3m in private investment. Currently employs around 13 people in South Wales. |
Website | http://www.bipvco.com |
Company Name | Specific Innovations Limited |
Description | |
Year Established | 2013 |
Impact | One technology licence has been granted to a commercial third party. |
Description | APEX II Meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | UK and India are both rising stars in the promotion of Solar Energy viz. direct generation of electricity from the Sun called photovoltaics (PV). In the UK, PV is seen as a key technology to reduce the carbon footprint of electricity generation. It is also a necessity if future building standards are to be met, which will require on-site generation. PV is the only way to meet this to date. DECC has announced recently 'The Solar Strategy' which promotes the deployment of solar technologies on the existing buildings. In India PV has the added benefit that it is a highly scalable technology that can be deployed to support the grid infrastructure and indeed can be built possibly faster than conventional power plants through terrestrial solar farms and BIPV sectors. The current APEX program stems from the strategic move by the governments of the UK and India who jointly identified Solar Energy as an area of significance in providing solutions to the problem of meeting future energy needs. This partnership was aimed at linking the strengths of both countries to enhance the research capabilities of both nations. APEX had been focusing on the development of new functional materials, device structures, materials processing and engineering of photovoltaic modules utilising excitonic solar cells (ESCs). These are a class of nano-structured solar cells based on organic nano-composites and dye-sensitised nanocrystalline TiO2 materials. The current state-of-the-art power conversion efficiency (PCE) figures ~11.4% and ~9.2% has been achieved in liquid junction dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and organic solar cells (OSC), respectively. In the pursuit of achieving high efficiency solid state DSSC, a new breakthrough has been established recently through our Oxford group (Prof. Henry Snaith) who achieved >17% efficient solid state devices using pervoskite solar cells. Thus, the APEX team enjoys the exceptional, world-class capability in Excitonic PV technology. The success of the program had been through its novelty, innovation and cutting edge R&D capability it possesses. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
URL | http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/projects?ref=EP/M023532/1 |
Description | Co-Innovate - Cardiff |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation of the buildings as power stations concept inviting industry to collaborate to deliver impact from research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Green Growth Forum 2016 - Cardiff - Kevin Bygate Invited to speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | CARDIFF: Political and economic leaders from around the world shared their collective spirit to capitalize on green growth and deliver on the Paris Agreement goals, at the International Green Growth Forum in Cardiff, UK today. Organized by the Welsh Government in collaboration with The Climate Group, the International Green Growth Forum is one of the first global events since the COP21 climate talks last December where the Paris Agreement was announced. Focused on how innovative sub-national government policy and smart business action can accelerate the transition to a thriving low carbon economy, the Forum opened with a keynote address from Edwina Hart MBE, C St J, AC / AM, Welsh Minister for Economy, Science and Transport and an opening session with Peter Davies, Chair of Climate Change Commission for Wales and Master of Ceremonies, who cut straight to how state and regional governments in particular are at the level which "can make the most difference on the ground". Simon Upton, Environment Director, OECD, said this forward-thinking action from governments and business is the "biggest opportunity of our age", marking the December 12 date of the Paris Agreement as one which will be remembered as the historic moment "we decide to tackle climate change". The opportunity lies most of all, the Director believes, in the rapidly falling costs of clean energy technologies, which will "drive growth whilst reducing carbon emissions". Alluding to the rise of renewables in the face of increasingly redundant fossil fuels he affirmed: "Tomorrow's economy won't be built using today's tools." Sir David King, UK Government Special Representative for Climate Change, who we interviewed for Climate TV earlier this week, also spoke of the rapid adoption of low carbon technologies being witnessed around the globe, pointing to South Africa's ambitious plans to build 9.6 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2030. But investing in clean energy does not just bring bottom line benefits; it also reduces business risk, according to Andrew Griffiths, Nestlé UK Environmental Sustainability Manager, who stressed how "food manufacturing businesses are particularly susceptible to climate change". Governments around the world also have similar incentives to act on climate as businesses, said Marta Subirà i Roca, Secretary for Environment and Sustainability, Government of Catalonia (pictured). She explained that state and regional governments "are key" to delivering the Paris Agreement, while also benefitting from being in a "pivotal position" to collaborate effectively with the business world to achieve this. "Catalonia is deeply committed to action on climate change", Marta Subirà i Roca stated, but action at scale needs buy-in from all: "Accelerating green growth relies on developing partnerships with the private sector." COLLABORATE FOR ACTION Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group, chaired a practical discussion on how exactly this business and government collaboration will work. "Doing what we're doing, faster, doesn't get us there" he warned, rather strategic cross-sectoral links will afford us the scale we need to drive down emissions. But while many leading governments are already working with like-minded companies who know the only way to move forward is low carbon growth, this work must also extend to these leaders' customers and citizens to be most effective, according to Niall Dunne, Chief Sustainability Officer, BT. "The narrative must be around empowering communities - it's more powerful than green growth alone," he said. Illustrating this multi-layered approach in action, the CSO explained how BT redesigned its modems to fit in letter boxes - an innovation which has saved 80,000 miles of customers traveling to post offices to pick up parcels. Ken Alex, Government of California offered the policy perspective, outlining how the US state - and suggesting other sub-national governments around the world such as Wales have similar agendas - has powered low carbon regulation such as LED lighting into action, which is sending the right signal to innovative new companies. "Through the regulatory system you can drive change", he explained. "California's energy storage regulation has attracted companies from around the world to create solutions." NEW ENERGY In the afternoon, four parallel workshops honed in on issues around low carbon growth, including climate-resilient infrastructure and green investment. Hosting a 'Building for the Future' session on the transition to clean energy systems, Emily Farnworth, Campaign Director, RE100, The Climate Group discussed renewable uptake with corporate, policy and academic leaders including representatives from the governments of North Rhine-Westphalia and Catalonia, and Nestlé UK. Nestlé is a member of RE100, a global collaborative initiative of the world's most influential companies committed to 100% renewable power, led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. This week, Tata Motors Limited, India's largest automobile manufacturer, became the second Indian company to join RE100. Joan França, Specialist in International Relations and Sustainability for the State of Rio de Janeiro - who participated in the 'Building for the Future' session - outlined how the State of Rio is integrating climate resilience into their strategy for Olympics this year and is working with businesses to support growth while reducing emissions. Bryan Jacob, Campaign Director, EP100, The Climate Group also moderated a workshop on how business can achieve greater resource efficiency. During the session, Andreas Knobloch, Director of Alliances, Phillips Lighting, explained how using "connected systems" to control lighting can maximize productivity, and Kevin Bygate, CEO, SPECIFIC, introduced the concept of seeing buildings as power stations, which can eventually produce more power than they consume. Concentrating on the economic benefits of increased energy productivity, Mareike Schiffki, Government of Baden-Württemberg outlined the importance of decoupling energy consumption from economic development, with Delphine Gilbert, Regional Director, Veolia UK, Industrial Customer, offering an example of how incentives had helped drive zero waste to landfill for the leading environmental services company. The Climate Group and Welsh Government's successful International Green Growth Forum proved today that with the Paris Agreement just three months behind us, whatever happens at the international level, political and business leaders from around the world are ready to deliver on its goals and invest in a future that is cleaner, safer and more prosperous for everyone. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.theclimategroup.org/what-we-do/events/international-green-growth-forum/ |
Description | IKC Directors Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Sharing of IKC best practice |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2018 |
Description | InnovateUK/DFID - Competition Pitch - Buildings as Power Stations Collaborative R&D |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation of the 'buildings as power stations' concept inviting industry to collaborate to enable translation of research into impact |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | International Conference: Smart Energy Regions - Cardiff, February 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | contributions on sustainable regional approaches to: > Urban planning and infrastructure; > Energy policy, strategy, building standards and regulations; > Building energy demand and supply, and low carbon technologies; > Energy retrofitting of the existing built environment; > Energy design tools for the built environment. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.smart-er.eu/content/call-abstracts-international-conference-smart-energy-regions-cardiff-... |
Description | Iron & Steel Society - Board Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The Iron and Steel Society's activities encompass all professional, technical and educational aspects of the Steel Industry and whole supply chain as well as other strategic considerations of steel. This is achieved by interaction with all parties related to the Iron and Steel Industry including: Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Iron and Steel Society members, UK and Worldwide Iron and steel industry personnel Iron and steel industry suppliers and customers Plant builders Universities and younger members of the Institute Iron and steel related institutes and learned societies both international and domestic UK Steel Association and member companies External bodies relevant to iron and steel, both international and domestic. The scope of the Society also includes communications with other divisions and external bodies on all aspects involving iron and steel. These would include, for example, refractories, mining, automotive and general applications of steel, plant engineering, environmental considerations, recycling and Government Foresight. The aim of the Iron and Steel Society is: To provide value and support to the iron and steel Industry To provide value and support to individual members of the Institute with a particular interest in iron and steel both in the UK and worldwide. To promote a positive image of iron and steel. To promote exchange and development of Technology through the organisation of conferences, seminars and meetings. To carry out self-funding activities in order to achieve the above aims. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.iom3.org/iron-steel-society |
Description | KEYNOTE LECTURE - 228th Electrochemical Society Meeting, Phoenix AZ, USA (October 2015) - G. Williams, P. Dodds, and P. Ansell: Corrosion Protection of Galvanized Steel Using Smart-Release Inhibitive Pigments Containing Organic Anions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Over 2,080 people from 46 different countries attended the 228th ECS Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, October 11-15, 2015. This was ECS's first return visit to Phoenix since 2008. Participants could choose among 1,977 presentations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.electrochem.org/redcat-blog/highlights-from-the-228th-ecs-meeting/ |
Description | Policy Forum for Wales - Priorities for the energy sector in Wales - investment, infrastructure and devolved powers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | This conference will be an opportunity to discuss priorities for energy policy in Wales as powers to approve energy projects up to 350MW are due to be devolved to the Welsh Government. Delegates will assess the potential for Wales to take a lead on low-carbon energy, and the priorities including planning reform and steps to secure private and European Commission funding. Planned sessions also look at challenges for the future of energy distribution including the development of smart grids and improving capacity to support increased volumes of renewable energy and distributed generation. The conference will bring together key policymakers from the European Commission, and Welsh and UK Governments with stakeholders across the energy sector as well as energy-intensive businesses, consumer groups, environmental organisations, local authorities, academics, and others with an interest in these important issues. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.policyforumforwales.co.uk/forums/event.php?eid=1139 |
Description | SACW (Science Advisory Committee for Wales) -Cardiff University Council Chamber - Kevin Bygate - Science Board |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | SACW reports directly to the Chief Scientific Adviser rather than to Ministers and has no statutory or financial responsibilities. It provides advice on science, technology, engineering and mathematics issues. The Council first met in December 2010 after the appointment of the first Chief Scientific Adviser to advise the Welsh Government on science issues across departments. Its purpose is to bring a range of expertise in support of the adviser, and SACW has members with both commercial and academic knowledge in a range of subjects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
URL | http://sciencewales.org.uk/about/?lang=en |
Description | SUPERGEN Solar Energy Challenge - Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel - Kevin Bygate |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Introduction The Research Councils' Energy programme invites expressions of interest from eligible individuals to attend a workshop to be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, B40 1PP on 13 March 2012. The aim of this workshop is to bring together the various academic and industrial solar energy communities to scope the issues for an open SUPERGEN Challenge call to support research projects that will hasten the development of the next generation of solar energy technologies. The Energy programme has allocated up to £5M to support a call for research arising from theworkshop. The Research Challenge The UK Government has targets for the reduction in CO2 emissions of 80% by 2050. For these targets to be achieved a significant move away from fossil fuels across all parts of the energy sector is required. Solar energy is expected to play a significant role in meeting these targets. The RCUK energy programme is looking to invest in a SUPERGEN challenge activity in solar energy that focuses on overcoming the fundamental research challenges around the next generation of solar energy technology. It is intended that this workshop will identify and prioritise the challenges that lie within the Research Councils remit and that can be addressed through a SUPERGEN challenge call. It is acknowledged that this activity should not act in isolation from other solar energy research being undertaken in the UK. As such applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the wider research landscape in this area, and the issues that solar energy research faces, when filling in their forms. The workshop The workshop will be a one day event that aims to scope the challenges that face the development of solar energy technologies. The outputs of the workshop will be used to inform a subsequent SUPERGEN challenge call. The Workshop will bring together a balance of participants from academia and industry with interests in the engineering, environmental, social, economic and political aspects of solar energy. Participants will discuss and capture the issues around the sector and will identify multidisciplinary challenges that can be addressed in the SUPERGEN challenge call. Successful applicants to the EOI call will receive further information before the event. Societal Implications and Ethical Issues It is recognised that non-conventional energy has the potential to raise societal, ethical, philosophical and legal issues, and opportunities also exist for research in areas outside the natural sciences and engineering, for example policy and public acceptance. The involvement of researchers from these other fields is essential to ensure that scientific research develops in a societal framework and that any ethical, legal and societal issues that are raised are fully explored as the area develops. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
URL | https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/calls/supergensolareoi/ |
Description | The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Conference 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The 2015 conference programme focused on the building performance sector and follows the story from design, construction, maintenance and operation of buildings and the systems that support them. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.cibse.org/cibse-conference-2015/conference/conference-programme |