Energy Innovation: Birmingham & Beyond
The breadth of energy research at the Birmingham Energy Institute will be explored through a virtual whistle-stop tour. These include
- 'Doing Cold Smarter' - the Birmingham Policy Commission makes the case for smarter and more efficient cooling and refrigeration as well as a forthcoming policy commission on Critical Materials for Future Energy Technologies.
- Recycling the rare earth magnets used in wind turbines, efficient electrical vehicles and generators and Lithium ion batteries which are fast becoming ubiquitous in electric vehicles and portable electronic devices.
- The present policy commission on Regional Energy and Energy Innovation Zones.
- The 'Tyseley Energy Park', a venture which aims to provide a showcase demonstrator for a range of energy technologies that are being developed at the University. The talk will culminate with a preview of the vision for Tyseley, which will draw together many of the technologies in a novel and innovative industry ecology.
Dr Gavin Harper is the Energy Development Manager at the University of Birmingham and responsible for the business development of the Birmingham Energy Institute under the academic direction of Prof Martin Freer. Gavin has also been seconded to a number of high profile projects in the region. Earlier in 2017, he co-ordinated the launch of 'Energy Capital', the West Midlands smart energy innovation partnership. In 2016 with two colleagues from the Universities of Warwick and Nottingham, he supported the CEO Gordon Waddington in the development of the Energy Research Accelerator partnership in the pre-award phase following the departure of the COO. He is also on the board of 'Energy Capital' an initiative that aims to make the West Midlands a key destination for energy investment and innovation.