UK Government announces £11 million worth of funding for clean energy entrepreneurs 

In an effort to ensure the UK achieves its goal of net-zero carbon emission by 2050, the government has set up a tranched Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF). The fund targets small businesses involved in the clean energy technology space. The fund has had over 7 rounds since its inception in 2012 and over £72 million worth of grants have been awarded. Over 156 projects have also been supported and more than £500 million leveraged in private investment – a figure that is still growing.

On the 4th of Feb 2021, the minister of energy Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced the latest round of the fund. This will target entrepreneurs that are driving the green energy economy and advancing the development of clean technologies across various sectors in the UK. At the same time allowing the UK to achieve its emission reduction targets by 2050. 

Among the innovations the fund will support include those in green transport, cleaner energy sources and those that improve energy efficiency while reducing the UK’s carbon emissions. Budding entrepreneurs are therefore urged to submit their bids in this latest round. Between 15 and 20 projects will be funded, each receiving up to £1 million if selected. 

Among the previous winners is the Swindon-based company called CCm Technologies. The company is involved in developing energy systems that will be used to achieve net-zero emissions through carbon capture systems (CCS). The company has worked with Walker Crisps to reduce the carbon footprint in their factory. C-Capture is also another former recipient. The firm is involved in capturing harmful green gases. Its technology has been installed in Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire.  

Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

“The UK is famous for its strong entrepreneurial spirit. We want to unleash this talent to drive forward green technologies across the UK, helping the public and businesses cut their carbon footprint.

The Energy Entrepreneurs Fund is backing the UK’s next generation of inventors and innovators to turn their ideas into reality, with previous successful projects already helping drive down emissions across the country and creating green jobs as we work to build back greener.”

Below are a few other projects that have benefited from the government grants:

• The Aberdeen-based Axis Energy Projects received £217,160 to develop floating wind turbine anchors. The technology will enable the wind farm’s turbines to be anchored to the seabeds in an efficient and low-cost manner. That way more offshore wind farms can be built in remote areas and contribute towards the UK’s commitment to producing over 40GW of wind power by 2030.
• Energy Transitions Ltd from Cardiff received £160,793 to develop Steel Zero Systems that will reduce emissions released by the sector.  The company will combine stainless steel cladding panels with solar energy technology, to enable the building’s façade to produce clean heat for the spaces within. 
• A Sheffield-based company Glass Technology Services Ltd received £508,739 for a clean energy technology used in the glass manufacturing industry. The technology will replace the current raw materials (sand or limestone) with ash from biomass. The technology will reduce the high temperatures in the manufacturing process and therefore the energy required, as well as the costs and carbon emissions by an estimated 10%.  
• Radfan in Newcastle received £20,250 to develop a fan unit that can repurpose warm air from the radiator in the central heating system. The harvested warm air will then be cost-effectively used for residential heating. 

Further information, including details of the application process, can be found on the government’s website.