Organisation Name:  LCRI, Cardiff University

Project Description:  The aim of the programme is to pull together expertise on energy research and facilitate, through the Low Carbon Research Institute (LCRI), a strategic co-ordinated approach to the industrial energy research & development sector in Wales, in collaboration with Industry.
This programme will co-ordinate funding allocations to industrial energy research projects in alignment with the themes of the LCRI. The commercial exploitation potential of the projects will be promoted on a local and international scale through provision of an Industrial Liaison Officer and also supported by through skills provision.

The LCRI has been set up to build research capacity and establish Wales as an internationally competitive centre for low carbon research. Through this convergence programme the LCRI aims to encourage and guide interdisciplinary collaborative industrial research, development and technology transfer via integrated programmes of work, and to contribute to the national and international economy through the application of low carbon research in Industry and government.

There is a need in Wales to develop secure low-carbon processes, especially those associated with energy efficiency, micro-generation (heat and photovoltaics), large scale renewables (marine, biomass and wind) and decarbonising fossil fuel energy production including carbon capture and storage and underground coal gasification. Through the LCRI, this programme will bring together the extensive experience of the major energy research institutions in Wales, building upon their existing strengths, creating new capabilities through collaboration and providing an overarching steer to accelerate the transfer of knowledge to the low carbon and energy enterprises in Wales. The ‘Science Policy for Wales’
identifies several university departments in Wales as having expertise in the various aspects of developing a low carbon economy, included in these are the LCRI HEI partners.

The ‘Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales (2008)’ sets out the need to fight climate change through implementing energy-related policies. It states Welsh Assembly support for the world class LCRI as the way forward to ensure maximum private sector involvement in research & development and rapid exploitation of industrial research projects.

This project will:

1)    Provide an overarching steer for the existing energy proposals (PIFS)
for convergence funding under the Innovation and Climate Change priorities.
This programme, in collaboration with the independent steering panel, will focus on the industrial research & innovation needed in Welsh Energy sector to enable Welsh enterprises to be in a position to respond to the Welsh Assembly policies and aspirations for a low carbon economy.  The proposals will be assessed in alignment with the themes of the LCRI - Bio-fuel, Combustion, Low Carbon, Power Electronics, Hydrogen, Marine & PV.

2)    Build on the success of working collaborations between Research
Institutions & Industry stimulated by the WERC programme through the appointment of an Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO). The ILO will be responsible for promoting the applicability and market potential of industrial energy research within Wales, and will form a conduit to industry on a local & global scale. The ILO will work with local enterprises on their current research needs, whilst also promoting longer term strategic opportunities for Welsh enterprises in the international markets, potentially raising Wales’ profile amongst the energy industry UK and world wide.

3)    Develop a targeted and coordinated educational programme across Wales
to increase the skills capacity and knowledge capital at management levels in Welsh enterprises.
Through the successful collaboration of the Welsh Energy Sector Training
(WEST) steering group (including LCRI / WERC partners, Sector Skills Councils, sectoral experts and WAG) will provide the scope, resources and expertise to meet the cross sectoral education and upskilling requirements in the field of energy in Wales. This skills provision is essential to enable, support and maintain the new technologies & processes developed through this industrial energy research programme, thereby contributing to the success of the overall programme.

Email Address: taylord4@cardiff.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation:  All Wales with a focus on targeting the Convergence areas.

Organisation Core Business:  Co-ordinated industrial and long term integrated research & development, education, knowledge transfer.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The programme will be delivered through the LCRI and WERC
partners: Cardiff University, Glamorgan University, Swansea University, Bangor University, NEWI, IGER, Aberystwyth University and with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.  These partners have a good history of working together on a series of end-user focussed, demonstration projects through WERC. The programme will be steered by an independent panel formed from co-opted industry representatives, technical experts and the members of the LCRI, with Cardiff University being the lead partner in administering the LCRI’s activities. In all other respects the partner universities will have equal status.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: New & existing enterprises, High growth & valued sectors of climate change, and energy, the knowledge economy, SMEs, entrepreneurs, low carbon technologies.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: This programme will cover the Convergence areas of Wales, with strategic partnerships located in ECM2, Optic Technium, and other locations in accordance to the Wales Spatial Plan.

What might the outputs(activity measures Collaborative research & development projects between enterprises & Universities, Enterprises assisted, Innovation centres and R&D facilities developed across Wales (uniting key research & industry players within a specific energy theme, ie. PV task group, Marine task group, Optic Technium and Lighting Research Centres), Participants entering further learning

What might be the results of the project:  This project will unite the considerable and diverse range of energy expertise throughout Wales, and co-ordinate research, technology development / demonstration and knowledge transfer, to enable the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to deliver its Energy Policy, whilst promoting Wales collectively as an international showcase for sustainable low carbon energy technology through achieving the following results: Energy saved, Enterprises accommodated, Gross jobs created, Jobs accommodated, New or improved products, processes or services launched, Products, processes or services registered, Reduction in greenhouse emissions, Renewable energy generated, Participants entering further learning, Participants gaining qualifications.

What would its impact be A co-ordinated package of energy research, development, marketing and training in Wales, with increased capacity for industrial research, enhanced knowledge and skills base resulting in a low carbon Wales, with higher economic activity and increased export potential for the Welsh energy sector.  Increase in company-level GVA, Increase in turnover, Net jobs created, Net reduction in greenhouse emissions, Sales of products, processes or services.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: This will be a 6 year programme that will provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure a low carbon economy for Wales. It will be inclusive in nature, involving all the key research, industrial & government representatives in the energy sector in Wales, building on existing strengths & stimulating new opportunities through the use of a multi-disciplinary approach to provide strategic direction that will benefit the Welsh economy and help fulfil the Welsh Assembly’s commitment to tackling climate change.

Estimated Cost: £30m over 6 years

Where might the match funding come from: LCRI, Academic partners, Industry Partners, Research Councils, Utility Companies.

Organisation Name:  Welsh Assembly Government (Incubation/Technium) with University of Wales as joint sponsor

Project Description: Technium is a pan-Wales incubation and knowledge transfer initiative which received significant Objective One funding to establish a pan-Wales infrastructure. Techniums now exist in North East (1), North West (1), Mid (1), South West (6), and South East Wales (1).

The project is strategic in nature and is intended to create the foundation for a sustainable knowledge economy in Wales, and in addition assist in creating an entrepreneurial and innovative culture. Technium on the whole has been perceived as a success and is viewed internationally as an example of best practice. The purpose of this next phase of the project is to develop and expand the initiative and drive value from the investment to date. This phase will be overwhelmingly revenue in nature and represent an integrated pan-Wales strategy involving public, private and HE sectors.

The project will be led by the Welsh Assembly Government with the University of Wales as named joint sponsor. The Innovation Infrastructure will be led by the Welsh Assembly Government and will include Business Development, ICT, Incubation Management, Marketing and PR. The Knowledge Transfer activity will be led by the University of Wales, who will co-ordinate links between the initiative and HE/FE across Wales. Partners will include those currently involved in the project at Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities.

Email Address: steve.davies@technium.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Convergence Region

Organisation Core Business:  Business Innovation and Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: WAG, University of Wales, Local Authorities, Private Sector partners, FE Colleges and HE Institutions

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include local companies large and small active in the Knowledge Economy, businesses aspiring to become active in the Knowledge Economy, entrepreneurs in the sector, and range of large and small companies will benefit from multiplier effects as well as the economies of the regions and Wales as a whole.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Convergence Region

What might the outputs(activity measures Outputs will include growth of knowledge-based SMEs; rate of growth of knowledge-based SMEs; creation of knowledge-based SMEs; inward investing knowledge organisations; increase in higher-level skills; university spinouts; patents; other IP; new products and services; increased turnover and profitability of large and small organisations; high added value jobs (created and protected); know-how and an entrepreneurial innovation culture; private sector investment in the region; and links between HE, FE and commerce.

What might be the results of the project:  The result of the project will be development of a number of sustainable knowledge-based clusters delivering a wide range of economic benefits and the creation of a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.

What would its impact be Its impact will be the provision of job opportunities for a range of qualified and skilled individuals. The first phase of the project is already demonstrating the impact in a way that can be monitored, measured and reported.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will be pan-Convergence funded Wales and will co-ordinate and expand the work of ten Technium centres in all regions of Wales across key sectors defined by the Welsh Assembly Government for the future growth of the Knowledge Economy.

Estimated Cost: Total value of the project over a seven year project £29m.

Where might the match funding come from:  The match funding will come from Welsh Assembly Government, together with HE partners.

Date 06/03/08

Organisation Name: Manufacturing Engineering Centre, Cardiff University

Project Description: Product Lifecycle Engineering Support

The proposed project idea builds on the experience accumulated during previous project activities of supporting Welsh manufacturing companies in the targeted area and has the following vision:

It is essential that Welsh manufacturing SMEs are able to continue to win new business on an even greater scale by understanding and satisfying the needs of the customers regardless of their geographical location and size.
In order for the SMEs to be able to achieve this goal they need to shift their focus from simply designing and selling physical products to selling a system of products and services, e.g. extended product or product/service, that are jointly capable of fulfilling specific users’
demands. This requires the introduction of an end-to-end manufacturing approach that takes into account the whole product lifecycle. Such an approach supported by adopting the best adaptive, networked and knowledge-based product life-cycle engineering practices will bring new opportunities for innovation, maintain longer term customer relationships and demonstrate improvements in SMEs’ environmental performance.

Closer integration of product and process development through modelling and multi-scale simulation with the aid of knowledge managed tools will maximise the value to the manufacturing process. For example, designers with the right expertise and tools can efficiently evaluate what-if scenarios and quickly find the winning product formulae. At the same time through making full use of the latest ICT tools companies can improve reliability and minimise the environmental impact, e.g the carbon footprint of their products. Availability of the right manufacturing knowledge and experts will form the basis for continuous innovation in the SMEs from the targeted area.

Replacing the conventional sequencing of tasks with complex manufacturing networks and processes that span the boundaries of multiple collaborating companies as well as orientation towards reconfigurable manufacturing, where companies can perform rapid and adaptive design, production and delivery of highly customised goods, will bring additional product opportunities not possible before for the SMEs and will improve their capability, productivity and profitability.


In the alignment of the above vision, the proposed project will support the eligible beneficiaries throughout all stages of the product lifecycle by proactively providing them with:

•    the knowledge, best practices, latest scientific developments and
emerging manufacturing technologies
•    high-end, on-demand process and product simulation, prototyping and
metrology services
•    advice on minimisation of the environmental impact of the product
•    help in implementing the best practices of efficient and effective
integration of new enabling ICT technologies in manufacturing processes
•    assistance in value addition of product oriented services
•    guidance in process design in all stages - development, production,
maintenance and recycling

The project aims to enable innovation in the Welsh SME that want to innovate but cannot afford to do so by offering them a centralised pool of highly specialised recourses and expertise covering the whole product lifecycle.


Email Address: NoyvirtA@cf.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: All Convergence Areas

Organisation Core Business: Education Research and Technology Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: public and private partners

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Manufacturing SMEs and new start-ups

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: the convergence area

What might the outputs(activity measures): Number of enterprises assisted, No of new product developed with the help of the project

What might be the results of the project: Increased growth and turnover, jobs created

What would its impact be: Increased innovation in the involved companies

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 years

Estimated Cost: Indicative budget - £1.8 m pa

Where might the match funding come from: private sector, universities/colleges

Date 05/03/08

Organisation Name:  Cardiff University

Project Description: Via at least 6 themed area aim to develop Sustainable Energy and Power generation in Wales via co-operation with a wide range of different businesses. The scope of the work will include micro-generation, combustion systems, fuel cells, heat pumps, wind, solar thermalo and photovoltaic systems. Key is knowledge transfer and building up local partnerships in these crucial areas, whilst vcarrying out crucial R &D activities in these areas related to the needs of local industries

Email Address: syredn@cf.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: All Wales

Organisation Core Business: Thiurd mission activities and R &D

Who will be involved in delivering the project:  Staff at cardiff University and other local Universities, welsh SMEs and other Companies

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Companies in wales, plus the general economy of Wales

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: all wales

What might the outputs(activity measures Jobs developed and secured, inwards investment

What might be the results of the project: improved prosperity in wales

What would its impact be improved high technology systems in wales

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Director, 6 research assistants, 3 technicians

Estimated Cost: £3million over 4 years

Where might the match funding come from:Industry and welsh Companies

Date 03/0308

Organisation Name: Cardiff University

Project Description: The project will extend work on our gas turbine combustion research activities especially to include work on alternative fuels produced by gasifiying biomass and biofuels. High hydrogen content fuels will be an especial focus and the evolution of techniques to efficiently use them in both exiting and new designs of gas turbine systems. Frontier technologies will be explored in our new rigs with a view to helping to develop technolgies for zero or near zero emission power plants as sort by new technology platforms that have been set up by the EU. We aim to involve a number of we;sh SMEs in this project and expect significant quantity of high technology spin out to occur

Email Address: syredn@cf.ac.uk <>

Geographical Area of Operation: South East Wales

Organisation Core Business: Research and Development, Education

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Cardiff University, varios energy companies, gas turbine manufacturers, Welsh SMEs

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Business, power plant generators, equipment manufacturers and suppliers

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Effects and results are applied  globally

What might the outputs(activity measures): Significant improvement in the operation of gas turbines with alternative fuels, especially those  with high hydrogen content.
Increased involvement of Welsh SMEs with high tech aerospace industry

What might be the results of the project: Increased use of gas turbines with alternative fuels, increased numbers of SMEs working in this area

What would its impact be: Movement of the welsh economy more towards high tech aerospace technology, lowering of carbon footprint, reduced CO2 emissions, reduced use of natural gas

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 5 years

Estimated Cost: £5 million total with anticpated matched funding from industry and other sources

Where might the match funding come from:Industry, both welsh and global

Date 03/0308

Organisation Name: Welsh Low Carbon Research Institute/WERC

Project Description: With full approval and support from the Welsh Low Carbon Research Institute (WLCRI), the Project will create a Marine Energy Specialist Task Group. The Task group will be an independent body of experts from academia, industry, government and stakeholders representing the key players in all forms and aspects of the marine renewable energy sector in Wales and its associated supply chain.

With its fellow activities in the WLCRI (PV, hydrogen fuel cells, bio-energy, combustion, low carbon electronics and low carbon housing), the Marine Energy Specialist Task Group will facilitate an overarching renewable energy industry throughout Wales enhancing both its economy and social infrastructure. It is the intention that the Marine Energy Specialist Task Group gives truly multidisciplinary and independent advice to ensure the barriers outlined in the Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales are overcome and the targets are delivered.

The Task Group will be active in all areas relevant to the development, manufacture, use and deployment of marine renewable energy technologies. The Strategy Framework of the Task Group will be set by the Task Group Chair in consultation with the assembled experts but is thought likely to include:

• Training (BEng, MRes, PhD and CPD, Sector Skills)
• Technology and Innovation (Research, Development, Demonstration)

l

• European, UK and Welsh Governmental Policy
• Site Appraisal
• Environmental Impact Assessment studies
• Grid Connection/Power electronics
• Manufacturing needs of MR Technologies
• Technology Transfer
• Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling for engineering design and environmental impact
• Stakeholder and Community Engagement
• Socio-Conditions
• Publicity

Stakeholders and community involvement will be facilitated through Work Packages created by the Task Group

The scope of the Task Group will encompass the study and design of all marine renewable technologies including: (but not limited to) tidal barrages, lagoons, offshore wind, offshore impoundments, wave and tidal stream devices. The extensive remit of the Group will ensure that links with other Strategic Frameworks, including Materials Efficiency and Community Economic Development, will occur within the Project timeline. It is also envisaged that other PIF’s associated with marine renewable energy be incorporated in the Marine Energy Specialist Task Group

Email Address: m.r.willis@swansea.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: The encompassing nature of the proposed project ensures that all coastal areas of Wales (Convergence and non-convergence areas) will directly be involved in the project.

Organisation Core Business: Welsh universities’ core business is education, research and the application of knowledge for the benefit of society. This pan-Wales task group encompasses research and development, SME assistance (up until the pre-commercial installation stage), and creation of a marine renewable energy network across Wales, enhancing the national economy.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The Task Group Members will represent all key Research Institutes, Agencies, NGO’s and Industries across Wales. This will not only ensure that Wales fully exploits its own marine resource in a sustainable manner, but is also capable of becoming an internationally-recognised centre of expertise in all aspects of Marine Renewable Energy.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: SME’s in the marine energy field, industrial partners, local and regional government, environmental groups and consultancies, Welsh deployment and installation groups, energy operators and utility supply chains, local households, Higher Educational Institutions and the Welsh economy.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: This project will cover the whole of Wales, including the Convergence one regions along the Welsh coastline where research will be consolidated.

What might the outputs(activity measures • The Task Group will enable and deliver new jobs in the marine energy sector, will generate IP and know-how, increase turnover and profits of existing industries and ensure that Wales is capable of becoming self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2025

What might be the results of the project: Development of a Marine Energy Network across Wales involving all major players in terms of manufacturing, deployment, research, pre-commercial device testing and installation. Investment in people (engineers, environmentalists, scientists, policy makers) so that they have the high level skills and expertise to build a new high technology and expertise, zero carbon, industry sector. Accelerating the growth and profitability of the Welsh marine renewable energy sector.

What would its impact be: Increase in employment within the marine energy industry and associated manufacturing in line with meeting the proposed targets as outlined in the EU, UK and Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales documents. The attraction of marine energy companies to Wales and an increase in the existing knowledge base and academic expertise within the renewable energy industry.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The formation of this Marine Energy Specialist Task Group is a consequence of the WERC-funded project HE09 WERC 1001 – Tidal Stream. The calibre of the institutions involved in this 18 month project has, not surprisingly, ensured the formation of a truly independent, fully multidisciplinary partnership, where the partners involved have collaborated highly effectively in a rewarding spirit of team cooperation.

Estimated Cost: Total estimated cost of the Marine Energy Specialist Task Group and its associated activities is approximately £15 million over the period to 2013.

Where might the match funding come from: WAG, Universities, UK Government, EU, FP7, Welsh institutes, Research Councils and grants, industry and others.

Date 20/02/08

Organisation Name: Prifysgol Cymru / University of Wales

Project Description: The project (The Visiting Innovators Programme) forms part of a broader initiative (The Global Academy) being developed by the University of Wales and strategic partners which is designed to boost economic performance through enhanced synergy between the higher education and business in Wales. Some other elements of this broader initiative will also be submitted for consideration under Convergence and Competitiveness Funding programmes.

The Visiting Innovators Programme will provide awards to enable distinguished senior industrialists and academics who are based overseas to spend between three and six months working on key R&D and innovation projects within Wales.

The main features of the programme are:

•    The Visiting Innovators Programme will be advertised on a six month
rolling basis in major periodicals across the World and 150 Visiting Innovators will be appointed over the period 2008-14.
•    The University of Wales will award a distinguished visiting
professorship to each of the Visiting Innovators who will become part of the wider Global Academy established by the University to form a worldwide network of experts to promote and support the Welsh economy.
•    The role of the Visiting Innovators will be to bring their expertise to
bear in a number of key areas. These will include: (a) helping to develop research, especially in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), innovation and enterprise management, the environment, and other areas defined as areas of strategic priority by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG); (b) supporting the development of key clusters across Wales through open innovation approaches and other types of support
(c) developing a greater culture of entrepreneurship and innovation amongst businesses and universities in Wales and (d) engaging with and supporting, other programmes, including the Global Academy Research into Business (Innovation Placements) programme.
•    They will be based at one of Techniums around Wales which will enable
them to work alongside specific clusters of companies and will, where appropriate, be linked into an academic department at a local HEI.
•    The Visiting Innovators programme will be an important tool for
International Business Wales (IBW) in marketing Wales (since the appointees will return home as ambassadors for the companies with which they have engaged). The programme will create a key benefit in terms of the internationalisation of the Welsh economy.
•    The University of Wales will administer the scheme and will organise the
selection of the Visiting Innovators’ positions through the appointment of a panel consisting of senior Welsh scientists and industrialists.
•    The primary criteria for selection will be the academic or professional
standing and achievements of the visitors (including Nobel laureates) and their capacity to accelerate the growth of Welsh companies and clusters of businesses.
•    A Visiting Innovator’s period of support will ordinarily last for
between three and six months but may, in exceptional circumstances, be renewed for a further period of up to six months.

Email Address: lewilliams@wales.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Pan-Wales (Convergence and Competitiveness)

Organisation Core Business: Higher Education

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The project will be led by the University of Wales and strategic partners: WAG, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
(NESTA) and other private sector and HE partners.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include innovative businesses, (both individually and in clusters) and the Welsh economy.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All spatial planning areas.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Outputs will include: strengthened R&D capacity in private sector firms and the public sector); know-how and an entrepreneurial innovation culture; enhanced links between commerce and HEIs.

What might be the results of the project: The results of the project will be a major and catalytic contribution to the development of a sustainable knowledge-based economy delivering a wide range of economic benefits and the creation of a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation; registration of patents and other IP for new products and processes; creation of high added value jobs; creation of new enterprises.

What would its impact be: The project will improve the performance of the R&D sector in Wales, strengthening the innovative capacity of firms and key sectors and increasing collaboration between industry and HE. It will increase the research capacity of Wales in both the industrial and academic sectors, thereby underpinning a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The Visiting Innovators programme will realise one of the largest visiting professor programmes in the world, with 150 subject experts brought to Wales over a six-year period.

Estimated Cost: ~ £13m at 2008 prices.

Where might the match funding come from: The match funding for the programme will be secured from a range of sources, including the HE sector and WAG.

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