Hosted by MD Club lead Eleanor Edey, this special webinar featured inspiring speakers highlighting innovative practices, developed through collaboration with Sheffield universities, that boost energy efficiency within businesses. The event also provided attendees with the opportunity to hear about the support available to help businesses employ small, simple changes that result in savings of resources and money whilst also contributing to becoming more energy efficient.
Our members heard from:
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Head of University of Sheffield Energy Institute, Managing Director of the Translational Energy Research Centre
Mohamed gave a short introduction to both the University of Sheffield Energy Institute and Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), highlighting the work the University of Sheffield is doing to find low-carbon solutions to the world’s biggest energy challenges.
Alix Morfoisse, Business Development Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre
Alix gave an in-depth introduction to the University of Sheffield Translational Energy Research Centre which is a unique, national pilot-scale testing facility. Alix also highlighted free sustainability support and opportunities for Sheffield City Region SMEs.
Faye Tomson, Director District Eating Ltd and Tomson Consulting Ltd
Faye, a local engineer and entrepreneur, has collaborated with the University of Sheffield on several occasions including receiving support from TERC. Faye focused on why she collaborated with the University and explained the benefits of collaboration for her businesses.
Professor Aimee Ambrose, Energy Policy in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University
Aimee introduced attendees to the ‘Walking with Energy’ project which focuses on tackling energy invisibility through participatory research. Following a successful pilot in the UK, this project – funded by the Swedish Energy Agency – will apply and develop the method in Sweden using the cities of Lund and Malmö as case studies.
Discussions focused on both the current opportunities surrounding sustainability and energy efficiency as well as longer-term business development and collaboration opportunities across the Sheffield City Region.
“Top marks for a well organised MD Club this afternoon! I benefited from multiple “break-out” chats throughout the event as I expect others did also – thank you” – Attendee Feedback
The audience featured a balance of business and academic representatives across both universities and the wider Sheffield City Region. This online format enables us to record the event (see timings to jump to relevant sections). Those attending the event were able to pose questions to all speakers and you can see these questions and answers at the end of this article.
Interested in becoming an MD Club member? Register via our ‘Get Involved’ page, you can keep up to date with the MD Club via our social media Twitter and LinkedIn.
Timestamps:
00.00.16: Welcome – Professor Dave Petley, Vice-President for Innovation, University of Sheffield
00.03.50: Energy Research & Innovation at the University of Sheffield – Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Head of University Energy Institute, Managing Director of the Translational Energy Research Centre
00.23.49: Introduction to the Translational Energy Research Centre – Alix Morfoisse, Business Development Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre
00.43.39: A brief history of what we do and our collaborations with The University of Sheffield – Faye Tomson, Director District Eating Ltd and Tomson Consulting Ltd
00.57.41: Walking with Energy: Tackling energy invisibility through participatory research – Dr Aimee Ambrose, Reader in Energy Policy in Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University
01.16.24: Summary – Professor Wayne Cranton, Dean of Research, Sheffield Hallam University
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Additional resources
Translational Energy Research Centre:
Hallam Energy:
The Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has allocated £315 million to help industry achieve energy efficiency and carbon savings. Hallam Energy are offering services and collaborations to businesses to access this funding. For more information please contact Dr Abhishek Asthana, Director of Hallam Energy A.Asthana@shu.ac.uk
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Q & A
Mohamed Pourkashanian
Q – Are there any similarities of the Sheffield Innovation District (energy) with the Yorkshire Energy Park?
A – Yes there are similarities, however, TERC will be very focused on Sheffield and innovation.
Q – Does the Sheffield Innovation District (energy) have any links with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District? Could be some nice synergies perhaps.
A – Definitely, this is something we are looking at and we are gathering expressions of interest from all those who want to be involved in developing the centre. By working together we believe we can lead at a national and international level.
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Alix Morfoisse
Q – Does the ERDF cover businesses across the whole of the SCR?
A – Yes, it covers Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster as well as Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire.
Q – Is the ScEnAT the same as the life cycle impact assessment (Simapro) software?
A – SCEnAT is based on LCA principle and methodology.
Q – Exciting for the region. As well as SMEs and corporates, will you be open to collaboration with technology start-ups and help them to test their initial concepts, e.g. for energy saving tech etc?
A- Yes, absolutely.
Q – Your research is making an impact globally but also with regional companies. Could you illustrate this by giving us an actual example of each: (i) a global impact and (ii) a smaller company with whom you are or have collaborated?
A –In regards to our global impact, we are the current chairs of the International Test Centre Network (ITCN), which is a global coalition of facilities who aim to accelerate research and development into CCUS. The network shares knowledge and includes members from the USA’s Department of Energy, Technology Centre Mongstad (Norway), the SaskPower station (Canada), Huaneng’s Clean Energy Research Institute (China) and partners from Japan, Australia, Germany and South Korea. The ITCN provides advice to the EU’s Mission Innovation project, and presents at the Mission Innovation Ministerial via the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF).
In terms of smaller companies, we are working with local and national SMEs to help them become more sustainable by conducting energy efficiency surveys, or by supporting technical projects requiring our experts knowledge and experience, such as the one presented by District Eating/Tomson Consulting. You can see some case studies on our work with regional SMEs here.
Q – Very excited for the future workshops, how can we sign up?
A – Contact Alix – a.morfoisse@sheffield.ac.uk
