European R&D Opportunities

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Gareth

UK CEED is the coordinator of the European Eco-Innovation Cluster Partnership (EcoCluP) – a pilot initiative funded by the European Commission which aims to improve eco-innovation collaboration on R&D projects across Europe.

From time to time, we come across opportunities for European academic and R&D institutions to work together on funded projects. Two such projects exist at the moment and I would love to hear from anyone who would be interested in participating (email me on g.jones@ukceed.org by Friday March 30th 2012).

Opportunity 1: SAVE: Energy efficiency (indicative budget: 15 million €)

Improving energy efficiency and the rational use of energy resources.

Electricity from renewable energy sources (RES-e): for actions to increase the share of renewable electricity in Europe’s final energy consumption
Renewable heating/cooling (RES-H/C): for actions promoting use of RES for heating and cooling applications
Bioenergy

Opportunity 2: STEER: Energy in transport (indicative budget: 12.5 million €)

Improving the market for energy-efficient vehicles.

Energy-efficient transport: for actions to reduce the demand for travel by car and transport by road freight, and to shift travel and transport to more efficient transport modes.
Clean and energy-efficient vehicles: for actions to help transform the market towards more energy-efficient vehicles, supporting and complementing the recent legislation in this area.

Connected Growth Workshop

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Gareth

ideaSpace and CISCO are co-hosting a FREE workshop on Connected Growth at the Hauser Forum in Cambridge on April 23rd, 10am – 1.30pm to discover how funding programmes and frameworks are aiming to align public and private investment around digital connected growth. Importantly, is there sufficient scope with the framework and programmes for SMEs to not solely consume, but also deliver digital services? As part of the workshop SMEs can also learn more about the RAPTOR project which aims to build a digital ecosystem of SMEs developing real-time smart urban applications on a secure brokerage platform creating new value chains from government, industry and SMEs to citizens – including a small grants programme and the Cisco Big Innovation Prize.

Click here for further details.

Come to the Business Zoo for Sustainable Renovation

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Gareth

Can corporate bodies lead integral district sustainable renovation? Or should cities and project developers gain control? Should the end customer be convinced by banks or even DIY shops? On April 18 2012, we leave all options open. Even more, we develop them towards new innovative business!

Take part in a unique B2B event on integrated housing renovations. The event is organised in the framework of the ERA-NET Eracobuild project “One Stop Shop” (http://www.one-stop-shop.org), together with the Enterprise Europe Network. The event offers inspiration, knowledge, contacts.

The central theme is business development through concrete collaboration between all types of renovation market players. Architects, contractors and installers, investors and banks, product suppliers, engineering offices, project developers, cities and municipalities, tenant and owner associations, researchers, DIY stores… Everyone can find a proper role in new business, be it as informing, persuading, responsible, implementing of quality assuring party.

The unique “Business Zoo” event concept offers participants exceptional networking and partnering opportunities for your own and others’ business ideas.

Info and registration: http://www.b2match.eu/businesszoo
Cost: €150 excl. VAT (lunch and refreshments included)
Location: Lindner Hotel & City Lounge Lange Kievitstraat 125, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
Contact: Mr. Chris Woodward, +44 (0)1707 398789, c.woodward@eeneast.org.uk

Blog summary: Matchmaking event on April 18th 2012 in Antwerp for companies in the sustainable renovations sector.

Sustainable Service Design Workshop

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Gareth

Cranfield University is hosting a free workshop on the 22nd March on “Sustainable Service Design – What and How” between 12:40 and 16:30pm. Led by the SDI (Sustainable and Design-led Innovation) team, the workshop includes an expert talk by Cranfield University and Industry about the principles of sustainable service design, an expert speed dating session and a workshop session introducing businesses to the tools which are available to help them innovate their services in a sustainable way.

For more information and to register, click here.

Blog summary: Sustainable Service Design Workshop at Cranfield University on 22nd March.

Renewable Energy: An Executive Perspective

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Gareth

Cranfield University is running a new short course in Peterborough for professionals working in, or interested in getting involved with, the renewable energy sector. Starting on 30th April 2012, this one week non-technical course at the Peterborough Eco Innovation Centre aims to give delegates a greater understanding and appreciation for specific aspects of Renewable Energy projects such as planning, construction and operation. The Renewable Energy sector is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The opportunities for investment are plentiful and the returns promise to be immense.

In order to fulfil this objective, the course will cover: Context and Background of Renewable Energy Projects; Renewable Energy Technologies; Renewable Energy Economics; Energy Law and Policy; Risk, Certification and Insurance.

The course is best suited to managers/executives already involved in or planning to get involved in the emerging and rapidly developing field of the Renewable Energy industry. Delegates will find the content of this course useful to aid decision making and planning, and to maximise the potential this sector can offer.

For more information, click here.

Blog summary: New renewable energy executive course on offer in Peterborough by Cranfield University.

Unique funding opportunity: Apply for the Berti Green Accelerator programme!

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Gareth

A new programme supporting the most exciting environmental businesses is now open to any low carbon UK business with growth potential and a proof of concept. Three successful businesses will be selected and will have to demonstrate that their business aims to tackle climate change sustainably on the basis of the following criteria:

Carbon reduction, profitability, innovation, and leadership.

Each company will receive 6 months of first class business support and expertise from Hamilton Bradshaw Impact Partners and the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million each from Berti Investments.

Shortlisted candidates will pitch to a Dragons’ Den style panel of judges including James Caan, Jeremy Leggett (Founder and Chairman of Solarcentury), Michael Liebreich (Founder and Chief Executive of Bloomberg New Energy Finance) and Jacques Tredoux (Berti Investments).

Closing date for applications is of 17th April 2012.

For further information or to apply go to www.bertiinvestments.com

Government Grants of up to £8,000 for Electric Vans

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gareth

The Department for Transport has today announced its plans to extend its Plug-in grant scheme for cars to now include vans. This is great news for companies who want to purchase new vehicles; green their fleets; or who want to save money on transport costs.

The grant, available to commercial and domestic customers, will cover 20% of the cost of the vehicle up to a maximum of £8,000 as long as the vehicle meets the technical criteria laid out by government including CO2 emissions, minimum top speed, range and battery performance.

For details on this scheme, visit the Department for Transport website.

Blog summary: £8,000 grants are available for businesses and consumers to purchase electric vans.