The West Midlands economy is growing. There is a need for efficient, clean and decentralised energy systems to support that growth.
The ingredients for solving this are already present.
- An economic necessity to reduce the cost of importing energy into the region. Birmingham alone spends £3bn per year on importing energy and fuel.
- Mitigating against extreme weather and resource depletion by cutting carbon. The region needs to reduce its carbon emissions by 40% from a 1990 baseline.
- A thriving innovation community around energy systems: the Energy Research Accelerator, The Energy Systems Catapult, the expanding Birmingham District Energy Company and Birmingham City Council’s burgeoning energy company make the region a really exciting place to put energy systems innovation to work.
Now is your time. If you have a product, service, or wider concept that you could put to work in the region to realise its ambitions around energy systems, apply now to participate in the West Midlands Climate Innovation Challenge, an intensive open innovation event run by Climate-KIC UK & Ireland, Encraft and Birmingha
There are no restrictions on location for applicants. If you can get to Birmingham on November 29 and get through our short application process, we want your ideas.
The two winning solutions will win the chance to work as part of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) ‘Energy Capital’ programme, along with a cash prize of £20,000. The judges will be led by Matthew Rhodes, Managing Director of Encraft and GBSLEP Board lead on energy and innovation.
The pitch final will be followed by networking with other businesses and key influential figures.
If this interests you, please register here and email your completed application form to ukandireland@climate-kic.