The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy has secured £3.6m from Invest Northern Ireland to improve renewable energy research in Northern Ireland.
Recent figures on Northern Ireland's efforts to decarbonise the energy grid have been extremely promising, with 38% of the electricity consumed throughout 2018 being derrived from renewable processes such as wind power. Northern Ireland is now well on track to beat its 2020 target of 40% renewable energy production, but it will take sustained co-operation between industry and academia to keep renewable energy progress on track.
The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) was formed in 2013 to fund collaborative R&D projects in the field of sustainable and renewable energy, with experience integrating modern energy research into local industries. The scheme operates in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, and is supported by the UK Government, EU and international research schemes, and Invest Northern Ireland.
Invest Northern Ireland has offered CASE £3.6m in funding to support its ambitious Phase II plans. Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds, announced the deal: "Over the last six years, CASE has helped to position Northern Ireland within the global sustainable energy market. It has created opportunities for over 50 ambitious companies to work collaboratively with academic researchers to explore innovative technologies and services with global commercial potential."
CASE Director Sam McCloskey commented on the deal: “We are delighted that the Minister and Invest NI has recognised the importance of continuing research in sustainable energy and has committed to funding CASE in this second phase. This R&D is particularly important in light of the links between decarbonising the energy system and reducing the impact of climate change.”
Source: Written based on press release
