Officially switched-on

A unique energy storage test bed at Newcastle University is now online – storing energy from the local grid and testing innovative new technologies such as super-capacitors and long life, high performance batteries.

Funded through a combined £2 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Newcastle University and industrial partners Northern Powergrid and Siemens, the facility will be based at Science Central – Newcastle’s £200 million flagship project bringing together academia, the public sector, communities, business and industry to create a global centre for urban innovation.

“The energy storage test bed will help make the UK a leader in the adoption, deployment and integration of energy storage technology and establish best practice for energy distributors and industry, which is a huge part of the energy storage challenge,” explains Professor Phil Taylor, Professor of Electrical Power Systems and Director of the Institute for Sustainability at Newcastle University, who is overseeing the Science Central development.

“This exciting new research facility allows us to learn about energy storage generally, quantify its value more effectively and improve it by working with equipment manufacturers and other solution providers.”

“There is nothing else like this anywhere in the world,” adds Prof Taylor, “so this facility has the potential to make a huge contribution to the UK, both in terms of its economic benefit and impact on society.”

Issue 121 June 2015