The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are to invest up to £13 million in innovation projects to address the need for clean, affordable and secure energy.
The aim of the Energy Catalyst competition is to support highly innovative, market-focused energy solutions in any technology or sector or international market.
Proposals must address all three elements of the energy trilemma: cost, emissions, and security of supply.
Energy Catalyst is open to any UK organisation and may also include international partners. You should apply into the stream most closely aligned with your project. Universities and SMEs are encouraged to apply. Research organisations may lead early-stage feasibility projects.
There are three options to apply, referred to as Streams, which run in parallel. The Streams are dependent on the stage your project is at: early stage, mid-stage and late stage. You should choose the stream that broadly reflects the technical and commercial readiness of projects.
Early Stage Competition Stream
These are technical feasibility projects. Projects can last up to one year, with total costs ranging from £50,000 to £300,000. Research organisations may lead early-stage projects, in partnership with at least one UK business. Or, UK SMEs can lead early-stage projects, with or without partners.
Mid-Stage Competition Stream
These are industrial research projects. Projects can last up to 3 years, with total costs ranging from £50,000 to £1.5 million. Mid-stage projects must be collaborative and led by a UK business.
Late Stage Competition Stream
These are experimental development projects. Projects can last up to 3 years, with total costs ranging from £50,000 to £10 million. Late-stage projects must be collaborative and led by a UK business.
There will be an information seminar in Glasgow on 9 May 2017 at the national exhibition centre and the lead applicant must register online by 21 June 2017.
Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy