Click here for full story
The ETB will be constructed on the University’s Innovation Park, adjacent to the Jubilee Campus and alongside the recently-opened Nottingham Geospatial Building, a focus for research into global positioning systems.
The University of Nottingham is already at the forefront of energy research, with internationally-recognised teams working in the fields of bioenergy, hydrogen fuels, carbon capture and storage, sustainable architecture, biomass and many other areas.
Professor Alan Dodson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Infrastructure, said: “The Energy Technologies Building will reinforce Nottingham’s place in the vanguard of global energy research.
“This exciting initiative on our Innovation Park will further our strategic objective for the old Raleigh site to become an exemplar of sustainable development. This is particularly fitting for a building which will accommodate world-leading research into energy technologies, and we’ll be working hard with the architects and contractors to produce the University’s, and one of the country’s, lowest-carbon buildings —– not an easy task with the laboratory facilities demanded by such a research centre.”
It is being funded by The University of Nottingham, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - which is administered by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) - and a donation of £1m from the Wolfson Foundation.
The new building will comprise specialist laboratories, a prototype hall, an exhibition area, a rooftop laboratory zone, offices and external technology area for use as an energy testing facility.
The 2500 m² facility will provide the University with a centre that is specifically designed for continuing and developing its world-leading energy research. It should also attract increased attention from industry, academia, funding agencies, researchers, students and stimulate public interest in new developments in sustainable energy.
Construction is scheduled to start on site early in 2011, with completion due in January 2012.
The ETB has been designed by a team comprising maber architects, structural engineers Price & Myers, and, AECOM, mechanical and electrical consultants.
Nick Keightley, a Director of maber architects said: “This is an exciting project in which our practice is proud to be involved. The design provides a creative and flexible solution to a challenging brief, bringing together a diversity of users and requirements in a building which embodies the innovative spirit and sustainable values of the research activity within.”
The building will be an exemplar of low-carbon technology through the minimisation of its demands for heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation mediums from non-sustainable sources, whilst maximising energy from renewable and ambient sources. The sustainable design includes innovative earth duct passive cooling which uses the thermal mass of the surrounding earth to provide passive cooling and preheating of ventilation air. The development is targeting a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Outstanding’ accreditation for sustainability.
Diana Gilhespy, Executive Director of Regeneration for emda, said: “ERDF is all about encouraging and stimulating innovation, as well as ensuring that new buildings are developed in a sustainable way. The ETB will be an exemplar of both sustainable development and innovative research and we are delighted to be working with the University to help fund this new facility.”
Another new facility at the University will also contribute to the institution’s critical mass in the field of energy research: a multi-million pound research centre for bioenergy and biofuels, brewing technology and food and drink processing, under construction on the University’s Sutton Bonington campus.
The Bioenergy Centre, the first of its kind in the country, will house three units —– a Sustainable Bioenergy Centre research programme, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; a Centre for Brewing Technology and Innovation funded by brewing company SAB Miller; and the Food and Biofuel Innovation Centre.
Construction of the Bioenergy Centre began this summer and should be completed by March 2011.
Along with the Universities of Birmingham and Loughborough, The University of Nottingham is a key partner in the Midlands Energy Consortium and the UK’s billion-pound Energy Technologies Institute (ETI). The ETI was set up to speed the UK’s efforts to establish a low-carbon economy and is a major public-private partnership that includes companies such as BP, Caterpillar, EDF Energy, E.On, Rolls-Royce and Shell.
As well as shaping the UK’s strategy on renewable energy, it brings together projects that are creating affordable, reliable and clean energy for heat, power and transportation.
— Ends —
Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and the QS World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to RAE 2008, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranks the University 7th in the UK by research power. In 27 subject areas, the University features in the UK Top Ten, with 14 of those in the Top Five.
The University provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's "only truly global university", it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation —– School of Pharmacy), and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.
Nottingham was designated as a Science City in 2005 in recognition of its rich scientific heritage, industrial base and role as a leading research centre. Nottingham has since embarked on a wide range of business, property, knowledge transfer and educational initiatives (www.science-city.co.uk) in order to build on its growing reputation as an international centre of scientific excellence. The University of Nottingham is a partner in Nottingham: the Science City.
About ERDF nationally —– The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development. The ERDF objectives for England are:
Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
Building sustainable communities
Improving accessibility and connectivity
About ERDF in the East Midlands —– The East Midlands is eligible for €268.5m between 2007 and 2013, which when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately €537m —– a significant investment in the economic development of the region.
The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.’
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region’s 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to emda following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams. The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.
A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with emda.
About emda
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine regional development agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. emda is committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times. For more information see
www.emda.org.uk