Projects

The Joule Centre for Energy Research is a partnership of Northwest Universities, commercial organisations and other stakeholders associated with the energy industry. It has emerged out of the complimentary strengths of the participating organisations across a range of disciplines and energy areas. The Vision of the Joule Centre is:

“To create a world-leading energy research centre in England’s North West which will significantly increase the region’s research capabilities in sustainable energy technologies and energy systems”

The Joule Centre will provide a focal point for the NW to make a growing contribution to national and international challenges in the field of sustainable energy R&D and to attract an increasing share of available funding. It will capitalise on the regional knowledge base in both academia and industry to develop an innovative R&D agenda that will support the work of the Northwest Energy Council and exploit opportunities in energy systems and technology development that are relevant to the NW.

Invitation for Research Proposals -4th Call

The Joule Centre now wishes to invite proposals for research projects from eligible organisations within the area of the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

“Seed Corn” Grants

In this call, applications are invited for “Seed Corn” Grants. These may be for research on any aspect of energy and may last for up to one year. The maximum budget per grant is £75,000. The objective of “Seed Corn” Grants is to stimulate new areas of research and it is expected that they will lead on to major projects funded by others.

Whilst applications for “Seed Corn” grants may relate to any aspect of sustainable energy, there are two preferred subject areas in this call:

1. Demand Reduction/Demand Management/End User Efficiency
2. Sustainable Energy Infrastructure and Supply Technologies

Applicants are requested to identify how their proposal fits into the framework proposed by the Energy Technology Institute:

Invitation for Research proposals provides further information on grant applications process.

RESEARCH PROPOSALS – 3rd Call
The subject of the 3rd Call for research proposals was “Energy Supply Technologies”. Proposals fitted into the framework proposed by the Energy Technology Institute:

Theme 1: Large Scale Energy Supply Technologies
Objective: To develop technologies to improve efficiency of power generation and to develop sustainable approaches to reducing emissions from existing fossil fuel technologies.

Theme 2: Energy Security of Supply
Objective: To develop a mix of energy technologies (excluding nuclear) to increase security and diversity of supply, consistent with helping to deliver the UK’s energy goals.

Theme 5: Small Scale Energy Supply Technologies
Objective: To develop new and emerging distributed energy supply options using smaller scale technologies that utilise locally available energy sources.


“Seed Corn” Grants
Applications have also been received for “Seed Corn” Grants. These are for research on any aspect of energy and may last for up to one year with a maximum budget per grant is £50,000.


RESEARCH PROPOSALS - 2nd Call
The Subject of the 2nd Call was "Demand Reduction”. Proposals address any aspect of technical energy demand reduction in the industrial and built environment.


RESEARCH PROPOSALS - 1st Call
The Subject of the 1st Call was “Marine Energy and Wet Renewable Technologies”. Proposals address wave, tidal, tidal barrage and other Marine Energy and Wet Renewable Technologies.