Leading Innovation

North East England has deeper roots in energy, science and engineering than any other region in the world. The unique geographical circumstances of two navigable rivers penetrating a major coalfield meant that the first global fossil fuel export industry was already established here by the end of the 16th Century.

   

Exuberant innovation in energy technologies followed: first harnessing steam power for locomotion (the Stephensons), then turbine technology (Charles Parson), then electric light (Sir Joseph Swan), and the world’s first fuel cells (Thomas Bacon).

   

To this day, innovation in energy technologies is flourishing in North East England, with more than £6bn of investment (either recently-completed or under development) in novel energy projects in the last few years.

  

The massive US energy giant Clipper Windpower has recently agreed to develop a new generation of prototype offshore wind turbines in the region, utilising the world class New and Renewable Energy Centre facilities in Blyth.

  

Japanese firm Yanmar Co. recently commenced UK development of state of the art biodiesel systems - which could provide low-cost, clean energy for community power schemes - at the region’s New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC).