Welcome to ESC: Unleashing Innovation - Energy Systems Catapult

Lack of data access and skills will impact local authorities’ response to climate emergency

Three-quarters of UK local authorities have now declared a climate emergency but a snap poll has suggested the majority (60%) have difficulty accessing the data they need to make informed and effective decisions that will support the development of local energy projects that are key to achieving Net Zero.

Amp X to test digital energy assistant in 50 Living Lab homes to unlock flexibility

Edinburgh-based innovator Amp X is set to trial an autonomous, digital energy assistant in 50 Living Lab homes run by Energy Systems Catapult, aiming to help households to reduce the cost and carbon intensity of their energy and ultimately lead to peer-to-peer trading.

Test energy innovations in our Living Lab

The Living Lab is a safe and affordable, real-world test environment for trialling new energy products, services and business models, with the aim of de-risking and scaling innovations for market. With around 200 digitally connected smart-homes, the Living Lab is truly open, interoperable and scalable. Innovative businesses can rapidly design, market-test and launch smart energy innovations that can be integrated with mainstream smart heating controls, smart meters, IoT devices, and electric vehicle chargers.

16 innovators chosen for virtual missions to India and Thailand

Sixteen innovators offering a range of exciting smart energy system products and services have been selected for an Energy Launchpad International virtual mission to India and Thailand. This Innovator Challenge is supported by the Prosperity Fund at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department for International Trade.

Ambitious policies can prevent carbon leakage as UK industry tackles Net Zero

A new independent report produced for the Climate Change Committee suggests the right Government policy can minimise the impact of Net Zero on the competitiveness of UK industry and reduce the offshoring of carbon emissions. There is no silver bullet and a wide package of policy measures will be needed, including a market for negative emissions and transitioning from initial subsidies to a set of standards - including at the border - that tighten over time in line with carbon budgets.

Catapult appointed to lead Local Energy Systems project for Scottish industry

Energy Systems Catapult has been appointed to lead a Local Energy Systems Scottish Industry Network and bring together manufacturers, project developers, technology companies and investors to cultivate the low carbon ecosystem in Scotland. The £334,000 initiative will be delivered in partnership with the Energy Technology Partnership and is supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Climate Assembly was a great first step but positive experiences will drive change

Today in Parliament, MPs debate a motion on the final report of Climate Assembly UK: “The path to Net Zero“. Yet the journey to this point began back in June 2019, against a backdrop of school strikes and Extinction Rebellion protests, when the UK Government made a world-leading commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. And while debate is a start, positive experiences will drive change.

Matilda's Planet to test low carbon social housing retrofit solution in ‘Living Lab’

An innovative low carbon retrofit solution for the social housing sector, that uses a modular approach to keep costs low, is to be trialled in Energy Systems Catapult’s Living Lab. Social enterprise Matilda’s Planet has developed a retrofit solution that comprises state-of-the-art insulation combined with renewable heating and generation technologies.

Annual Impact Review 2019-2020

Energy Systems Catapult stepped up efforts in 2019-2020 to tackle some of the most difficult decarbonisation challenges on the way to Net Zero. We helped accelerate to market some truly innovative businesses though our platforms and capabilities, developed some ground-breaking thought leadership through a range of programmes and drove forward key government taskforces working with hundreds of stakeholders.

18 innovative firms chosen to help accelerate West Midlands to Net Zero

Eighteen of the UK’s most innovative SMEs have been selected for a business accelerator programme aimed at helping the West Midlands become a leader in developing Net Zero energy systems for buildings, commercial estates and industry. This ‘Innovator Challenge’ will be run by Energy Systems Catapult’s new Energy Launchpad in collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC and supported by Energy Capital – part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

EV Energy Taskforce: Moving from Proposals to Actions

The Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce made 21 proposals in January 2020 to ensure the energy system is able to accelerate the mass take-up of electric vehicles. Energy Systems Catapult has been central to analysing those proposals and recommending EVET focus on 10 high priority actions.

Start-ups set to take-off with new Energy Launchpad

Innovator Support Platform has become Energy Launchpad with a range of new offerings to boost UK innovators. Energy Launchpad will continue to provide three main levels of support – Universal, Incubation and Acceleration. However, in the coming weeks we will be launching new offerings across the Supply Chain, International, Networking and Collaboration, and Investment.

Danial Sturge & George Day discuss net zero and UK carbon policy

If Government is serious about Net Zero, it must implement a UK Emissions Trading System in 2021

Last week the Prime Minister spoke of “a green industrial revolution that in the next ten years will create hundreds of thousands if not millions of jobs”. Low carbon energy innovation can be the key engine for our post-Covid economic recovery. But to mobilise the investment needed at the pace required, it is imperative we put the right economic signals in place. Right now, in too many sectors, we are subsidising pollution. In effect, we are trying to meet our targets with one hand tied behind our back.

Equiwatt secures over £300,000 of investment

Equiwatt – part of our Energy Launchpad – has secured over £300,000 in investment to support the growth of their business that incentivises consumers to save energy at peak times through an app-based rewards scheme.

Data from 'UK’s largest electric vehicle trial with mainstream consumers' opens to innovators

Energy Systems Catapult has given innovators access to unique and comprehensive data from the UK’s largest mainstream consumer trial of electric vehicles use and smart charging. With 450 drivers carrying out 584,000 miles of journeys and 15,700 charging events using electric and plug-in hybrid cars, the 3-year Consumers, Vehicles and Energy Integration project delivered unique and detailed data.