Based at TWI’s Cambridge headquarters, the jointly funded Centre will carry out research programmes designed to identify, test and qualify new sustainable energy technologies that will form the basis of tomorrow’s renewable energy industry. 

The University will share research and technology capabilities with TWI, one of the largest membership based research and technology organisation in Europe, as well as undertaking joint research programmes with the organisation.

Professor Jan Domin, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science who leads on STEM research said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the partnership between the University of Bedfordshire and TWI Ltd to create a new Innovation Centre in Cambridge leading on research and development of Renewable Energy systems.

“As we attempt to counter climate change, improving the efficiency with which we capture energy from renewable resources is one of greatest engineering challenges of our generation.  I am delighted that researchers from the University of Bedfordshire and TWI Ltd will be able to work with industry to provide sector leading solutions to this real world problem.”

The Innovation Centre will use both public and private funding to develop new technologies and will re-invest the Centre’s income to grow its technical and intellectual capability.

The University's Director of Innovation and Enterprise Dr Nick Lancaster stated: “This research partnership has the propensity to help the University attract a range of associated major funding streams over the next decade through the National Industrial Strategy and the Oxford-Cambridge economic Arc initiative.

“It also demonstrates the University’s commitment to leading industrially focused STEM research.”

Ángela Angulo, Team Manager, Condition and Structural Health Monitoring at TWI, has been appointed as the Director of the Renewables Innovation Centre. 

Speaking about the Renewables Innovation Centre, she said “The development of innovative technologies that can enhance the performance and efficiency of low carbon power generation assets is key to ensuring optimum use of the planet’s resources.

“Therefore, our vision for the new Centre is for it to be the next generation leader and premier reference point for research and advancement in the renewables industry.

“By focusing on asset management for the renewables sector, and technology transfer technology from academia to industry and vice versa, it will combine the complementary strengths of the University of Bedfordshire and TWI, and serve to build on and strengthen the existing link between our two organisations.”