Building the low-carbon supply chain to lead net zero revolution

22nd Feb 2022

£16.7 million of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding is going to build the manufacturing capability Britain needs to lead the green electric revolution.

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£16.7 million of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding is going to build the manufacturing capability Britain needs to lead the green electric revolution. The funding will be divided among 10 different projects based around the UK, each aiming to help develop the self-sufficiency of Britain’s supply chains for: Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD). PEMD are technologies that enable the control and delivery of electrical energy.

This funding aims to build the UK’s manufacturing base for these components, while also creating jobs and insulating Britain against possible future overseas supply chain disruption.

There are many untapped opportunities: shifting our supply chains to become net zero through increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving customer service. 

Driving low-carbon supply chains in transport can be delivered through:

  • alternative freight technologies: hydrogen fuel cell, battery electric vehicles or electric road systems
  • sustainable last-mile delivery solutions: e-cargo bikes, delivery droids or drones
  • electric vehicles
  • digital twins

One project of the ten projects, led by Ricardo UK Ltd, will develop sustainable electric motors that need 12kg less rare earth metals per motor than current models, making them more sustainable.

This project will also enable the UK to scale motor production and transition to electrified transport while reducing the impact of changes in international markets.

Other projects cover plans to develop sovereign supply chains for manufacturing a range of PEMD components and products.

These are vital for ensuring the UK can play a leading role in the future of:

  • electric transport
  • utilities
  • industry.

This investment will support the UK’s push towards a net zero carbon economy and contribute to the development of clean technology supply chains worth £80 billion by 2050.

As well as investing in innovation, £33 million is going to create a network of regional industrialisation centres, based at existing areas of expertise in:

  • Strathclyde
  • Sunderland
  • Nottingham
  • Newport.

In addition, the UKRI will invest £6 million of driving the electric revolution funding towards training the skilled workforce we need to support the UK’s high-tech green economy of the future.

CIHT’s New Strategy for 2022+ delivers three over-arching themes, one of which is climate action. Going forward, CIHT will ensure climate action will be central to all we do. CIHT will continue to to explore how we as a sector can tackle the current climate crisis and take action moving towards more efficient modes of transport. CIHT believe it is essential we promote initiatives, share knowledge and move to more sustainable forms of transportation at the earliest possible opportunity.

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