The search is on to find the UK’s most innovative energy products and services.
The Inaugural Energy Innovation Awards – the brainchild of the world-class Energy Innovation Centre, are officially open for entries and organisers are calling on the UK’s £106 billion low carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) market to take part.
Tackling rising energy demand is a global issue and the UK Government has set a target to generate 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. The low carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) market is a growing and important sector, already employing 881,000 in the UK.
These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the UK flying the flag for energy innovation and sustainability. In addition, there is an international category welcoming entrants from anywhere in the world.
The Energy Innovation Centre, which fosters innovation and provides a gateway to accelerate cutting-edge products and technologies to market, today announced the eight categories.
The categories are:
New Energy Generation
Denise Massey, director of the Energy Innovation Centre, said: “We are so excited to launch these awards. Rising energy demands and ambitious decarbonising targets present colossal challenges for the energy industry here in the UK and internationally. These awards recognise and showcase the pioneering work taking place across the country and beyond to develop the next generation of energy products and technologies.”
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “I am delighted that England’s Northwest is continuing with its tradition for innovation with the launch of these awards. As a major contributor to the UK’s energy supply the region is home to over 160 renewable energy businesses – our strong energy and environmental credentials speak for themselves. By transforming ideas into commercial products for the energy industry, the region is at the forefront of new technologies, while these awards will demonstrate this expertise.”
The Energy Innovation Awards will be held at The Hilton Deansgate Manchester on Thursday June 17th 2010, where the winners will be announced. Closing date for entries is April 12th 2010.
Manchester-based company Out There Events is supporting the Energy Innovation Centre in staging the awards.
Entry forms, sponsorship opportunities and more detail about the awards dinner can be found at www.energyinnovationcentre.com
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Inaugural Energy Innovation Awards will take place at The Hilton Deansgate Manchester on Thursday June 17th 2010.
The awards honour innovation, young talent, best practice and sustainability within the industry.
More information and statistics relating to the LCEGS sector can be found within the Department for Business Innovation & Skills document http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file52165.pdf
Energy Innovation Centre, founded in 2008, actively seeks businesses or individuals with a bright idea in energy products or services that they want to turn into commercial reality.
It connects individual inventors and small businesses with:
▪Industry grant funding, equity funding and public sector funding
▪The R&D teams of some of the key energy industry players
▪Technical support to validate new technologies
▪A professional business support network
▪Potential customers in the energy sector
The centre, in conjunction with the energy companies, provides a bespoke service to individuals and SMEs so that they can accelerate their products and technologies to market.
Energy Innovation Centre offers office accommodation in an industry incubator in the northwest of England, although it can work with companies around the world.
The Energy Innovation Centre, located on the Capenhurst Technology Park, Capenhurst, Chester, aims to create 30 new companies and 100 new jobs by 2013.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) provided the Energy Innovation Centre with a £1.5 million start-up grant over six years.
In April 2009, Energy Innovation Centre secured a further £620,000 from the European Regional Development Fund to support new businesses.
Between 2007 and 2013 the Northwest of England will receive a total of £521million (dependent on exchange rate) from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), this funding will enhance the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in employment and enterprise.
Key targets for the ERDF include:
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of businesses, people and places. Leading the region towards a low carbon economy by ensuring the Northwest reduces its environmental impact, adapts to climate change and capitalises on key business opportunities.
For more information about Energy Innovation Centre please visit www.energyinnovationcentre.com
For interview opportunities or more information please call Emilie Bradshaw at Active Profile on 0151 601 8688 or email [email protected]
