Providing research excellence
Smart Heat and Power
The Research Alliance has a critical
mass of expertise in energy demand
management and power conversion,
transmission and distribution.
A smart power grid and real-time
simulator provides the capability to
realistically simulate smart power grids
with the integration of distributed power
generation including wind, wave and
fuel cell generation systems and the
integration of FACTS and HVDC.
The simulation facilities also have
monitoring and control capability as well
as real-time information integration,
monitoring, protection and closed-loop
control functions.
A new semiconductor Class 1000
cleanroom is available for research
into the materials physics and device
fabrication technology of silicon carbide
which has the potential to yield
significant energy efficiency gains in
numerous sectors. Central to this new
cleanroom is a high temperature
(1800oC) annealing furnace used for
processing power semiconductor
devices in silicon carbide.
Delivering commercial results
Pneumatic actuator testing and power
control optimisation is another core
strength of the Research Alliance. The
related research facilities include: a
multi-purpose energy efficient
pneumatic drive test rig; a hybrid
renewable power generation test system;
a real-time control development system;
and capability for modelling and
simulating power plants.
Power generation expertise of the
Research Alliance is focused on solar
energy and energy from waste to
produce hydrogen. The Research Alliance
is working with companies to test solar
and thermal products using:
■
Solar systems testing, including large
3.2m2 solar simulator with variable tilt
■
Large environmental chambers,
thermal systems testing, heat pumps
■
Sophisticated heat transfer
monitoring, testing and analysis
With reliable energy storage critical to
the delivery of sustainable energy
systems, the Research Alliance has the
capability to develop novel energy
storage materials as well as advanced
compressor and thermal energy storage
technologies.
Hybrid Electric Powertrains
Hybrid electric powertrain technology
facilities are based at both Universities
and include a range of dynamometers
for application to a wide range of
vehicles including rail traction systems,
HGVs, military vehicles, passenger cars,
light duty vehicles and buses. The fully
integrated facilities offer performance
testing and simulation of electrical
energy storage systems, electrical
powertrain components, internal
combustion engines as well as whole
system electric/hybrid powertrains.
■
Range of dynamometers:
- from min.110kW/700Nm/3000rpm
to max. 570kW/3200Nm/5000rpm
- high dynamic drive
- dynamic load simulation
- synchronised dual dynamometer
architecture
■
Battery simulation and cyclers
- up to 500A, 900V, 250kW
■
Range of simulation platforms
■
Alternative fuels supported
■
Emissions measurement capability
Combustion and Alternative Fuels
A new internal combustion engine test
facility, commissioned end March 2011,
is capable of testing large passenger
vehicle engines and medium size
off-road engines in fast-changing and
extreme climatic conditions, including
cold starts at -20oC. Complementary to
this testing rig and the hybrid testing
facilities is a fuel development
laboratory that houses sophisticated
instrumentation which can be used to
investigate fuel spray characteristics
and engine flow patterns.
The Research Alliance also has
expertise in:
■
Flow and combustion diagnostics;
■
Characterisation and optimisation of
alternative fuels, including bio-derived
fuels; and
■
Exhaust gas aftertreatment
Integrated Trans-disciplinary Solutions
The expertise of the Research Alliance
brings a multitude of disciplines to bear
on the challenge of achieving sustainable
resource use, such as physics, chemistry,
engineering and economics. The Institute
of Energy Research and Policy in
Birmingham and the Warwick Institute
for Sustainable Energy & Resources add
considerable force behind the aims of
the Science City Research Alliance. These
institutes pull together the broad expertise
in sustainable energy and environmental
considerations from across the Universities.
Just last year the University of Warwick
launched the world’s first Energy MBA,
while both Universities have a suite of
undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
combining a core training in engineering
with opportunities to specialise in
energy applications.
The Research Alliance also offers
cross-cutting capability and expertise in
the following areas:
■
Energy economics and markets,
regulation and policy
■
Behavioural change and interaction
with technology
■
Largest advanced materials analysis
and characterisation capability in
Europe: testing and optimisation of
functionality and manufacturing
process
Focused on delivering world-class research excellence, the Science City Research Alliance proactively seeks to forge
strategic collaborations and partnerships with organisations from both the private and public sectors, locally and globally.
Cubewano
Cubewano is a small high-growth
business based in Sutton Coldfield in
Birmingham. The company designs and
manufactures small, high quality rotary
internal combustion engines and has
embarked on a collaborative research
and development project with the
University of Warwick using state-ofthe-art optical fuel combustion
diagnostic facilities. The project has
enabled the company to optimise
combustion chamber, ignition and
injector spray systems to increase
combustion efficiency and enhance their
engine’s ability to run on kerosene-based
heavy fuel oil.
Shaun Addy, Director and Founder, said
“Upon introduction to Warwick
we soon realised that there was
the possibility for a groundbreaking project to actually
visualise the flame front and burn
within the combustion region of
a rotary engine. This is the first
time, to our knowledge that
this has been attempted on a
rotary engine.”
Paintbox
Academics from the University of
Warwick are assisting the company
Paintbox, based in King’s Norton,
Birmingham, which has strong expertise
in the application of high-quality surface
coatings and the design and
manufacturing of engineering
components in the automotive sector.
The company is sponsoring a PHD
student to focus on the development of
new microgeneration technology with
potential for applications in the
automotive and building energy sectors.
David Alexander, Director, said,
“Science City has been very
supportive on our PV project –
great network and useful
guidance on next steps/funding.
Many thanks!”
Ergohome
Ergohome, a Birmingham based company,
has been working with the University of
Birmingham to develop and optimise its
Structural Insulation Panels used to
produce low environmental impact,
structurally sound, affordable factory
homes. The research project has enabled
the company to adapt its build to
optimise the unit’s thermal performance,
taking account of actual build
performance and to understand how
different passive energies strategies can
be used to reduce energy demand while
providing a thermally comfortable living
environment all year round.
New World Solar
Award winning business New World
Solar, based in Solihull, supplies and
installs a range of renewable energy
technologies and has completed over
1000 nationwide installations to date.
The company has embarked on a
collaborative research and development
project with the Science City Research
Alliance at the University of Warwick to
evaluate the actual performance of a
range of solar photovoltaic panels
utilising state of the art Science City
solar energy evaluation and testing
facilities. The project will enable the
company to introduce a new type of
solar power panel into the UK market.
Paul Chadwick, Director, said:
“The Ergohome has exceeded
expectations, even in the recent
-120C adverse weather it was
possible to heat the home with
a single 2kW fan heater. Having
an independent body impose
rigorous science has delivered
empirical data to back-up the
anecdotal site experience.
University support has been
key in understanding both
the properties of the build
material and in measuring the
performance of our factory built
sustainable home.”
Mark Clemson, Sales and Marketing
Director, said,
“The relationship with Science
City has been of great help in
supporting our business and we
are looking forward to continuing
collaboration with the University
of Warwick in evaluating solar
panel performance.”
Research Collaborations
Researchers and engineers from the
University of Birmingham are working
with several major companies, including
Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Johnson
Matthey, as part of the multi-million
pound CREO project funded by the
Technology Strategy Board
www.thecreoproject.com. The project
aims to improve and re-optimise the
engine and after-treatment as a
complete system, meeting legislative,
customer and business requirements
while minimising CO2 levels.
The same research group, the Future
Power Systems Group, was also awarded
funding by the EPSRC to investigate
novel compact aftertreatment systems
for the simultaneous reduction of diesel
engine NOx, PM, CO & HC emissions, in
collaboration with Johnson Matthey,
Shell and Brunel University.
Researchers based at the University of
Warwick are similarly involved in public
funded multi-partner projects, including
an EPSRC funded project on clean coal
technology. Working with five partners
based in the UK and China including
companies Emerson, Scottish Power and
E.ON, the study focuses on supercritical
coal fired power plant dynamic
responses and control for grid code
compliance.
Dedicated experienced business engagement managers facilitate interaction between businesses and academics.
A strategic union between two of the top research
Universities in the UK, both Global 100 – Warwick
and Birmingham
With pooled expertise and research infrastructure,
the Science City Research Alliance is well positioned
to tackle any challenge
Smart heat and power
■ Advanced hybrid electric powertrains
■ Efficient combustion and alternative fuels
■ Energy economics, policy and behavioural change
■ Lightweight, resilient and sustainable materials
■
The Science City Research Alliance:
Integrated Sustainable Technical Solutions
and Services for Business and Industry
Birmingham Science City and
the Science City Research Alliance
The Science City Research Alliance
(SCRA) is a ground-breaking
collaboration between the University
of Warwick and the University of
Birmingham in a strategic research
partnership originally formed under
the Birmingham Science City initiative,
one of six Science Cities set up across
the UK.
The Science City Research Alliance has
benefited from a multi-million pound
investment from Advantage West
Midlands and the European Regional
Development Fund in the research
infrastructure of the West Midlands
region, focusing on the technology areas
of advanced materials, energy efficiency,
hydrogen and translational medicine.
Through six projects the investment has
funded joint equipment and research
infrastructure at both institutions as well
as specialist personnel such as Technical
Facility Managers and Business
Engagement Managers.
How we can help your business
A further grant of some £10m from
the Strategic Development Fund of
the Higher Education Funding Council
(HEFCE) supports a college of SCRA
Fellows, 3 of whom are currently
employed full-time on the £10.5m
Energy Efficiency and Energy Demand
Reduction Project. The project covers
a wide range of disciplines with
applications in a variety of sectors but
most notably energy utilities, transport
and buildings.
Independent product verification
■
Consultancy services including technical support,
■
energy efficient
sustainable
For further information and enquiries,
including access to the facilities,
research consultancy or collaboration:
Mike Ahearne – Business Engagement Manager
Email: m.ahearne@warwick.ac.uk
Mobile: +44 (0)7824 541173
Office: +44 (0)24 7657 5484
Sarah Keay-Bright – Project Manager
Email: s.keay-bright@warwick.ac.uk
Mobile: +44 (0)7824 541135
Office: +44 (0)24 7657 5492
www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk/research-alliance
Providing the private sector access to the latest
thinking, training, research and state-of-the art
scientific equipment
low carbon
problem solving, product development
■
Advice on funding and grants
■
Strategic partnering
■
Contract and collaborative research,
including multi-partner projects
■
IP licensing and patents
■
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships,
including placements or studentships
■
Bespoke training and development for employees,
one-to-one or groups