44INNOVATION UK As a new KTN, Energy Generation & Supply aims to increase the UK's uptake of the huge energy business opportunities available both here and globally Accelerating opportunities The Energy Generation & Supply Knowledge Transfer Network ( EG& S KTN) is a completely new KTN and was launched on 13 October at Innovate 09. Through co- ordinated technology and innovation, a major objective is to accelerate the UK's uptake of the huge energy business opportunities in the UK and glo-bally. In accord with the Technology Strategy Board's EG& S strategy for 2008- 2011, the KTN will focus on sev-eral technology areas: offshore wind, wave and tidal, car-bon- abatement technologies ( including higher- efficiency plants, biomass co- firing and carbon capture & storage), hydrogen and fuel cells, maximising oil and gas resources and future emerging opportunities. The KTN is led by TWI and brings together a strong deliv-ery team comprising AEA Technology, Advanced Power Generation Technology Forum), The Industry Technology Facilitator, Synnogy and UK Energy Research Centre. The EG& S KTN is referenced within the UK government's 2009 Low Carbon Transition Plan: " It will promote col-laboration and knowledge sharing between developers nationally and internationally and in so doing, enable industry to identify suitable funding opportunities. UK and EU grant and support schemes for energy generation technology developers are provided by a number of bod-ies and can be seen as confusing and hard for developers seeking funding to navigate. The KTN will act as a " front door" helping developers navigate the UK and EU fund-ing landscape so they receive the best support available to progress their technology development." The EG& S KTN aims to engage with the growing popula-tion of stakeholders and map on to existing networks within the EG& S landscape. Membership of the KTN is free of charge and open to the entire energy commu-nity, including industry, investor, academia, innovators, government bodies and regulators. Registered EG& S KTN members will benefit from access to advisory services aimed at facilitating business and technological success, for example in R& D funding and collaboration building, project financing, supply- chain opportunity, technology investment and updates, market and policy information. These services will be delivered through an interactive web portal, Enquiry Helpdesk, as well as networking and partnership- brokering events. Special Interest Groups are also planned to address focus areas that are cross- cutting and strategic to the growth of the UK energy industry. Dr Brian Cane, Head of TWI's Power and Energy Systems and appointed EG& S KTN Director, stated: " The new KTN provides a great opportunity to speed progress towards UK Low Carbon economy and energy security targets and I intend that it will deliver real and measureable benefits to the Energy Generation & Supply community." A particular area of focus is to make the Energy Genera-tion and Supply arena easier to navigate and so the KTN will be designed as a " one- stop shop" for all stakeholders in a sector where grant- funding and knowledge- sharing opportunities are provided by a range of different organi-sations. For example, one such organisation is the Euro-pean Commission whose funding programmes for energy projects include Framework Programme 7 and Energy and Intelligent Energy Europe. The KTN and Energy Helpline UK have initiated a part-nership to ensure that UK organisations are guided effi-ciently through the funding landscape and supported effectively with their bids for funding. In particular, they will be collaborating to assist organisations with forming the partnerships that are a prerequisite for many Euro-pean funding programmes. For more information, visit: Website: www. innovateuk. org/ energyktn Energy Energy Generation & Suply KTN

INNOVATION UK45 A vision for a " greener" future is challenging MOD to reduce dependency on fossil fuels while delivering the power needed to equip the Armed Forces, run equip-ment, provide transportation and run essential services, such as food and communications across land, sea and air. MOD needs secure, independent fuel supplies that can be maintained and are not vulnerable to interference or coercion by enemy or economic forces. Fuel supply is essential in military operations, directly powering vehicles, ships and aircraft. Fuel is also used to generate electricity where there is no reliable supply, for example at Forward Operating Bases ( FOBs), which are temporary camps that provide logistical support, shelter and prepare troops for combat in hostile areas. Currently, power comes from diesel generators, that are kept supplied using convoys travelling at risk from hos-tile action and open to other threats such as deliberate denial and conflict over supply. " MOD accounts for around 1% of UK CO 2 production" MOD Climate Change Strategy, Dec 2008, www. mod. uk Added to this, MOD has sustainable development and climate change strategies ( available for download at www. mod. uk) that aim to reduce dependency on fos-sil, reduce environmental impact and still support an effective fighting force. MOD also recognises that the financial pressures that lead to fluctuating fuel prices mean that it is crucial to develop ways to reduce demand for power and create alternative sources of energy. If fuel could be generated in- situ there would be multiple ben-efits including reduced cost and risk to life. MOD chalenge to industry This year, a challenge was issued to industry and academia as part of MOD's Defence Technology Plan. Capability Visions ( CVs) are looking for innovative solutions that will address long- term defence challenges in specific areas. The Capability Vision Reducing Operational Depend-ency on Fossil Fuels seeks to identify defence- specific challenges and opportunities for minimising the reliance of the military on fossil fuels. The underpinning technol-ogy will probably come from the commercial sector, with MOD looking at military specific aspects including: » » Hydrogen Storage For Military Systems; » » Robust Fuel Cells; » » In- situ Energy Generation; » » In- situ Fuel Generation; » » Hybridisation; » » More Efficient Engines; » » Exploitation Of Biofuels In Defence. As part of this vision, " the self sustaining FOB" challenge offers opportunities for ideas that could lead to energy self- sufficiency with the capacity to recharge the electric and plug- in vehicles of the future. Innovations are being encouraged in renewable sources including wind, solar and geothermal as well as methods that will better man-age existing power infrastructure, produce hydrocarbon fuels from local sources and photosynthetics. Defence technology Ministry of Defence ( MOD) shows its commitment to a greener future and challenges industry to develop ideas to help support the Armed Forces and the environment at www. science. mod. uk LEFT: The Defence Technology Plan was launched in February 2009 by the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies. This includes MOD's Capability Visions which looks for solutions to long- term defence requirements Environment defence technology & inovation centre