Smart energy systems are critical to realising Net Zero. As the energy system becomes more decentralised, digitised, democratised and electrified, we need to better enable flexibility in order to deal with peak demand. The West Midlands is home to significant smart energy system assets with a strong foundation of innovators, utilities, companies, and world-class research and innovation.
What is a smart energy system?
The UK’s energy system is in the midst of a transformation, moving from a largely centralised system to a decentralised, more dynamic, complex and increasingly interconnected one. Or a smart energy system.
A smart energy system is defined as an approach in which smart electricity, thermal and gas grids are combined and coordinated to identify synergies between them in order to achieve an optimal solution for each individual sector as well as for the overall energy system.
The West Midlands Smart Energy System Cluster vision
The West Midlands Smart Energy Systems Cluster aims to unite businesses, innovators and other regional capabilities to ensure the West Midlands capitalises on the opportunity for a smarter, more flexible energy system, benefitting citizens and enabling regional businesses to lead this charge for the UK.
“Our vision is to establish the West Midlands as the business-led centre of excellence for the design and application of smart and flexible energy systems in the UK by 2030. Building on our existing regional expertise we will support and enable the sustainable growth of the supply chain; working to reduce barriers and exploit opportunities to drive business growth and economic prosperity and support the region’s transition to Net Zero.”
Who is involved in the Cluster?
The Smart Energy Systems Cluster is led by Energy Systems Catapult and is funded and supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The Cluster benefits from a supportive public policy environment, with smart energy systems recognised as a key cluster for regional growth within the West Midlands Plan for Growth, working closely with Energy Capital to align the Cluster to the Regional Energy Strategy.
The cluster is a cross-sector collaboration across industry, the public sector, university research centres and innovation infrastructure, national companies, utilities and innovators.
Why should I participate in the cluster?
The cluster is here to ensure the West Midlands is the business-led centre of excellence for the UK’s smart energy systems sector, leveraging local strengths to support growth of businesses and attract economic growth to the region. The cluster is establishing a programme of activities which foster engagement and sharing, give regional and national profile to businesses and capabilities in the West Midlands, and which create and enable opportunities for growth and innovation. By participating in the cluster and its activities you will be able to:
- Participate in sub-sector groups including Smart Home; Smart Heat; and Smart Business (including commercial transport)
- Help align sector opportunities to public and private investment, and challenge-led innovation
- Support and influence sector development activities, including around skills and workforce development
- Help identify opportunities for transformational projects, such as testbeds and demonstrators
- Hear updates on national and regional policy relevant to smart energy systems
- Connect with innovators and other regional stakeholders to the smart energy systems sector
- Better understand the business support and innovation ecosystem in the West Midlands
- Participate in regional communications and marketing around the smart energy systems sector
If you are interested in participating in the cluster and represent an organisation with a role or capabilities in the sector, please contact Summayyah Hussain.
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West Midlands Smart Energy Systems Cluster
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Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams