A step change in energy research

We're one of six Midlands universities in the Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement of £60 million for energy research. The funding will see a step change in energy research in critical areas such as thermal energy and energy storage.

The partnership is between six leading UK Universities - Warwick and the universities of Birmingham, Nottingham, Loughborough, Aston and Leicester - and the British Geological Survey (BGS).

In the Chancellor’s Budget statement on Wednesday 18 March 2015, the Government announced £60 million for a new energy research project in the Midlands. The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) is a multimillion research hub which will build on the expertise of six leading Midlands universities, the British Geological Survey and the surrounding industrial base to deliver a step change in energy research and development, securing the UK’s leadership position in the sector.

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nigel Thrift, said:

The global energy storage market will rise to $50 billion by 2020 and much of the rise will be in transportation to $21 bn. Automotive is well on its way to displacing consumer electronics as the biggest user of energy storage.

The Energy Research Accelerator initiative will play a crucial role bringing together researchers and industry to meet that challenge. It will enable the University of Warwick to create a National Low Carbon Mobility Centre, serving the automotive, commercial & off road, marine and rail sectors by the development of enabling technologies in energy storage and energy machines, drives and systems.

One example of the University of Warwick’s expertise in this field is WMG’s national advanced energy storage facility which provides capability to validate new battery chemistry; it enables the rapid characterisation of battery cells, the ability to test up to 1000 Amps, and to expose to extreme vibration, crush and penetration. Sponsored by the UK’s Automotive Council, it is the only one of its kind in the UK."