The North East has a wide range of innovation centres leading the way in electrification, robotics and automotive alongside world class facilities for R&D.
Driving the Electric Revolution Industrial Centre (DER-IC)
Driving the Electric Revolution Industrial Centre is led by Newcastle University and provides open-access facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, bringing together technology and manufacturing expertise in electrification R&D. Newcastle University, which is recognised for its research and expertise in this field, is heading up a consortium aiming to establish the UK as a global leader in the field of power electronics, electric machines & drives. Sunderland will be home to one of four DER-IC centres nationally, with a focus on prototyping and scale-up of new motor technologies.
Newcastle University
Hosts the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK ‘spoke’ specialising in electric machines, which acts as a national focal point for R&D, bringing together academic and industrial expertise in order to develop and commercialise new technologies.
A consortium led by The Faraday Institution is currently developing innovative solid-state battery technology. Newcastle University is a founder member of The Faraday Institution, a network of top academic institutions working with industry partners to develop the next generation of batteries. Within the context of the UK Government’s Faraday Battery Challenge, the university is undertaking leading-edge research with enormous commercialisation potential.
CPI
CPI helps companies to develop, prove, scale up and commercialise new products and services. CPI has cross-sector expertise and knowledge to drive innovation in product formulation and process optimisation across a wide range of market sectors. Focus areas include sustainable battery materials, improving battery efficiency and recycling, sustainable polymers, sustainable composites and advanced materials, all underpinned by advanced digital solutions and sustainable process technologies.
The North East Battery Alliance
The North East Battery Alliance (NEBA), led by Newcastle University, aims to build on the North East’s existing strengths in electrification, automotive, and advanced manufacturing to raise awareness of the North East as a leading hub for the battery industry and attract further inward investment.
NEBA is an ecosystem in the region that includes research and innovation centres, education and skills organisations, the public sector, battery cell manufacturers and the associated supply chain, to stimulate further growth in the sector.