Technology, Research & Development

The UK is a scientific powerhouse whose technological leadership and innovative thinking have made this country one of the most effective and dynamic environments for R&D in the world. 

The UK has a long-established and exceptionally strong science base and excellent academic facilities, provide UK companies with an innovation network that can hardly be rivalled anywhere.  The fertile interaction between industry and academia is producing thousands of new inventions and patents every year. Renewables comprise a significant and growing proportion of that output.

Much UK-based renewables R&D is supported through the government’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB), which along with other government bodies funds the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

The ETI is a public-private partnership – set up in 2007 - bringing together some of the world’s biggest companies to take a leading role providing focus in the development of new energy technologies. The UK government will match funding from partner companies to create a $2 billion research fund over 10 years. In February 2009, the first four grants from the ETI were announced. These grants, totalling $40 million, have been awarded to four consortiums of UK companies and academic institutions to develop new wind and tidal turbines.

Another contributor to the ETI is The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which as part of its Renewables Strategy for the UK has put aside $900 million over two years to support investment in emerging technologies. These will include marine renewables, advanced biofuels and electric vehicles.

Featured Case Study

Rentricity

American company Rentricity is poised to take the pressure off the UK water industry – and turn it into energy
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