Latest News | 3 November 2020
Derby declares fuel tech centre of excellence ambition
Derby has declared its ambition to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuels technology.
The initiative, led by Derby City Council, aims to utilise the city’s advanced manufacturing expertise to revolutionise the way low-carbon energy is used to power businesses, transport and homes.
The city is assembling a partnership of leading companies and academics to drive forward its plans.
City council leader, Councillor Chris Poulter, said: “From our recovery work, we are developing an ambition to establish our region as a UK centre for future fuel technology.
“We are driving this forward because we believe this is a genuine opportunity to sustain and grow our economy and make a huge leap forward in the commitment to deliver de-carbonisation.”
The council believes Derby’s high-tech businesses are uniquely placed to develop the equipment and infrastructure that will allow communities to generate low-carbon power and to capture, store and utilise by-product or waste energy.
It wants to adopt the technologies in Derby and use the city as a living showcase of what can be achieved.
Those behind the plan say it will create new jobs, reduce energy costs for domestic and commercial customers, assist with UK energy security and support key pillars of Derby’s coronavirus economic recovery plan by diversifying the economy and decarbonising the city.
The proposals build on the city’s status as one of the UK’s leading centres for advanced manufacturing and recognise work already underway locally to harness the potential of nuclear and hydrogen power.
The city council said discussions have already begun with key partners in industry and academia and a workshop will be held later this month to bring other stakeholders to the table.
It has also commissioned a study to look at the potential of hydrogen as part of the future fuel landscape in the region covered by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
It is also considering the purchase of a city site where an integrated energy approach can be launched and demonstrated, linking clean energy and by-product power sources to commercial and domestic users. It would also include a low-carbon public transport hub.
