East Midlands companies involved in the manufacture and installation of renewable and low carbon technologies are being urged to attend an Innovation in Renewable Technologies event.
Hosted by the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet), the free breakfast briefing is being held at the National Space Centre Leicester, Tuesday 9 February. Registration begins at 8.15 am and the event will run from 8.30 am to 10.30 am.
Innovation in Renewable Technologies will focus on the funding and support services available for companies looking to innovate in the renewable energy sector, featuring specialists and innovation advisers from the Sustainable Construction iNet and Building Research Establishment (BRE).
Funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Sustainable Construction iNet has a number of roles, particularly in helping SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises) innovate and generate profits and jobs. The iNet focuses on a number of key annual themes in delivering support to those businesses through in-depth, sector specific advice.
“With the government having committed to an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 the emphasis is going to be as much on micro generation as it is on large scale renewable energy projects,” says Charles Meynell, Senior Innovation Adviser at the iNet. “For those companies looking to take advantage of these new opportunities we want to let them know that there is support and funding available for well though out ideas.
“The East Midlands has traditionally had a very strong construction sector. However, in the midst of a very serious economic downturn, which is having a particularly savage effect on the industry, it is vitally important that everyone starts to seriously invest in research and development, however difficult that might seem. We are breaking into a whole new world in construction where the old ways and means are no longer sufficient to ensure our planet’s future and the recession is providing the added impulse to ensure that necessity really is the mother of invention.”
The iNet offers financial support through two schemes; the Innovation Support Grant (ISG) offering up to £10,000 matched funding and the Collaborative R&D Fund (previously known as HECF), which supports collaborative projects between education institutions and businesses.
To qualify for an ISG the applicant must be operating commercially in construction or an associated industry sector such as mining, quarrying, waste management, energy or water, or in professional services such as architecture or surveying. They must also require technical or consultancy assistance for their idea, product or process and expect to protect or create jobs in the East Midlands as a result.
The Collaboration Fund provides grants for companies to access the support and expertise of the region’s universities and technical colleges. The fund requires two or more East Midlands’ higher education institutions and one or more SME construction companies, employing fewer than 250 people, to work together towards a commercial goal that will ultimately deliver competitive advantage.
The partnership created as a result of the Collaboration Fund must also enable the applicant to bid for even larger sums from the European Union and other sources.
Businesses wanting to find out more about the Sustainable Construction iNet and the grants available should visit them at the Innovation in Renewable Technologies event, telephone 01604 892836 or visit www.eminnovation.org.uk.