News

The Energy Technologies Institute commences operations with the announcement of its first technology programmes

17 December 2007

The new Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has formally commenced operations with its first Invitation for Expressions of Interest to participate in programmes to develop new technologies for Offshore Wind and for Marine, Tidal & Wave energy. The invitation follows the formal signing of the Limited Liability Partnership agreement by BP, Caterpillar, EDF Energy, E.ON, Rolls-Royce, Shell and the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Rt Hon John Denham MP on Wednesday 12th December.

Mr Denham said the partnership marked a significant milestone in the UK's wide-ranging programme to combat climate change, "The formation of the ETI reflects the UK's commitment to set the pace in transforming our energy supply, delivery and consumption through R&D excellence and innovation. The ETI will spearhead the collaborative development of new commercially viable, sustainable low carbon energy technologies to provide a secure, sustainable and affordable energy supply for this and future generations".

For the Offshore Wind programme, the ETI has also announced that it will collaborate with the Carbon Trust, to maximise the innovation potential of all organisations which express interest in participating in this programme. The Carbon Trust and ETI both see offshore wind as a strategic priority and the combined expertise and resources of these two organisations is expected to have a significant impact in accelerating progress in the sector.

The ETI views Marine as an area where the UK is leading internationally, but where further development investment is needed to move the technology forward towards commercialisation. The ETI aims to bring together UK and international expertise to support and to accelerate the realisation of marine energy as a major contributor to energy provision.

ETI Chief Executive, David Clarke, said that the decision to work with the Carbon Trust on offshore wind reflects one of the core principles of the ETI, “We are delighted to be working with the Carbon Trust on our very first research and technology programme. Collaboration is at the heart of the ETI's ethos, both through our public/private partnership structure, but also through our intention to work with those organisations which share a common vision of a low carbon energy landscape. By pooling resources and expertise in this way, the Carbon Trust and the ETI are offering a very significant and attractive funding opportunity, which in turn should lead to greater progress in developing and demonstrating new technologies.”

In addition, the ETI, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board have been working in close collaboration to ensure the UK develops a coordinated research, development and demonstration portfolio of projects across the energy sector. The Technology Strategy Board will be issuing full details of its complementary low carbon energy programme on 19th December.