Innovation
The North East has a long history of energy innovation, being at the forefront of energy development and boasting pioneers such as George Armstrong, Joseph Swan, Charles Parsons, to name but a few. This energy powered Britain's rise to world economic prominence. For many years the North East showed the world the lead in energy, for instance
- At Cragside in Northumberland, the country home of William George Armstrong, water from one of the estate's lakes was used to drive a Siemens dynamo in what was the world's first hydroelectric power station in 1870. Thus making the house the first in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power
- In 1880, Joseph Swan gave the world's first large-scale public exhibition of electric lamps at Newcastle. These incandescent lamps were installed in what Swan considered 'the first proper installation' of electric lighting.
The North East of England has a strong reputation for innovation and industrial change, and still continues this tradtion, being home to a number of Centres of Excellence. Two of the centres most relevant to the energy sector are the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) and the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).
The North East has made a strategic shift to ensure it fully exploits its skills, technology and knowledge resource base in the new and developing renewables sector. The region is home to five universities offering world-leading research. Several high profile regional organisations have been established to promote the links between academia and industry. Together the region’s academia and industry are working to develop a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
The New and Renewable Energy Centre is dedicated to meeting today’s energy challenges by supporting developers of innovative technologies. NaREC encompasses a range of independent research, testing and development facilities across the spectrum of energy industries. Their specialised team of technical and engineering consultants work with developers to bridge the gap between innovation and commercial realisation.
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) was established by One NorthEast as a UK wide resource to stimulate and drive innovation within the Process Industry. Working with global industry partners and leading research universities we are committed to delivering world-class, groundbreaking applied research and development…
Knowledge House is a collaborative service offered by the universities of Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and the Open University in the North.
School of Marine Science and Technology is the largest and broadest-based marine school in the UK, covering the fields of marine engineering, marine science, naval architecture, offshore engineering, coastal management and small craft technology, and enjoys a substantial international reputation
The Engineering Design Centre (EDC) is a research centre for collaborative research between industry and the academic sector to improve the engineering design of large made-to-order products such as ships, offshore platforms, aircraft, process plant and power stations.
Resource Centre for Innovation Design (RCID) was formed at the University of Newcastle in August 1995. Its continuing mission then was the support of Innovation and Design in the North East's Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The Centre has been jointly funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the University of Newcastle, and contributions from regional growth-orientated businesses.
Teesside University – CLEMANCE is the environmental research centre for the University of Teesside. Research projects have included Mapping Industrial Symbiosis in North East England. We have a dedicated microbiological research laboratory equipped for pilot scale bioremediation trials, isolation and cultivation of microbes, and a state-of-the-art bioreactor.
Durham University – New and Renewable Energy Group (NAREG) is a research group in the School of Engineering. The School of Engineering was given a grade 5 rating in the 2001 Universities Funding Council National Research Assessment Exercise. The Group is part of the Durham Centre for Renewable Energy which links the work of all departments in the University in this strategically important subject.
Northumbria Photovoltaics Applications Centre (NPAC) undertakes research and development on many aspects of photovoltaics, including: Development of new solar cell structures and materials; Testing and characterisation of solar cells; Photovoltaic system design; Performance monitoring and assessment for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems; Environmental impact analysis for production and operation of photovoltaic systems.
The group is concerned with sustainable development and energy generation and use in buildings. Specific research interests are in technological design to achieve energy efficiency, renewable energy for buildings, energy conservation in building services and sustainability in building procurement.
Sunderland - The Centre for Environmental Informatics (CEI) in the School of Health, Natural and Social Sciences at the University of Sunderland is a research team which conducts innovative applied research into private and public social, ethical and environmental accountability.
Renew Tees Valley promotes the Tees Valley as a centre for renewable energy and waste management technologies, leading to new economic activity. It aims to attract inward investment, create new businesses, and help existing local businesses to develop/diversify into new markets in renewable energy and recycling.
NEIC is a practical technology resource for Industry, providing a range of services to both companies and individuals. The company specialises in the evaluation, design, development and manufacture of new product and process solutions. Customers range from large manufacturing companies to individual entrepreneur.
NECESI is an environmental unit based at the University of Durham that links the University’s environmental expertise with the needs of industry. NECESI gathers data on regional environmental sector activities and opportunities, accesses funded support for SMEs and supports contacts for new products/process development.
The North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) represents a unique opportunity for innovative companies to develop and grow to their full potential. The BIC offers a mix of modern, highly functional accommodation and is home to over 150 companies.
Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is companies coming together to utilise each other’s by-products - including materials, energy and process water - to maximise a resource’s value and minimising flows to and from the environment.
NStar is an independent early stage technology venture company based in the North East of England. NStar are establishing new venture funds for the region working to develop early stage science and technology venture finance to help create new businesses and jobs in the North East of England.