How will we realise this? We want to work with the best of UK industrial and academic research talent to identify and deliver projects that will realise the next big breakthroughs low carbon technologies. We intend to make investments of up to £10 million per 3-5 year project and each will be focused on a specific challenge.
Directed Research will be distinctive from and complementary to our existing Applied Research and Carbon Vision programmes. Key features of the new initiative will be the scale of projects and their focus on meeting specific challenges that are facing the most important low-carbon technologies. We also intend to support the work with commercial investments, and may also offer conventional grants for some directed research activities.
We are currently piloting a similar approach with the Advanced Photovoltaic Research Accelerator, which will support a consortium of UK academic and industrial organisations developing the next generation of more cost-effective solar cells. Following the exceptionally strong response to this pilot, it is now our intention to create a portfolio of directed research programmes, and we have created a pipeline process to define the most appropriate opportunities for the Carbon Trust. This process involves detailed consultation with the UK low-carbon research community, both informally through our established network, and at dedicated events. The first of these will consider opportunities in the field of bioenergy. This event is by invitation only, but please contact pipeline@carbontrust.co.uk if you are interested in registering your interest in attending.
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