City to share green technology funding
MANCHESTER is one of three cities set to land a share of €24m to research new environmentally-friendly technologies.
Working in a consortium called Triangulum with the Dutch city of Eindhoven and Stavanger in Norway, the funding comes from an European Commission scheme to reduce carbon emissions while boosting the economy.
The Manchester part of the project focuses on The Corridor – the university and technology focused zone centred around Oxford Road – and is led by Manchester City Council, working alongside the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester-based businesses Siemens and digital technology company Clicks and Links.
The cash will enable investment in technologies from renewable energy and storage to improved distributed energy efficiency and intelligent energy management using ICT. It will also support the increased use of electric vehicles.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Cities use a large proportion of the world’s resources and need to be in the forefront of environmental improvements. New technologies are opening up opportunities all the time and Corridor Manchester has the right conditions to show how smart city districts can help make a positive difference.
Professor John Brooks, vice chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University and chair of the Corridor board, added: “This funding will help us realise the potential of the Corridor. It is large enough to demonstrate new approaches to smart cities at scale and suitably well-connected to attract international attention. The strong track record of partnership working in this city will enable to deliver multiple projects in an integrated way.”
Juergen Maier, chief executive of Siemens UK said: “The Corridor has all the right assets for establishing an international smart city district, demonstrating how new technologies can drive growth whilst at the same time reducing carbon emissions. We hope to be able to help the project achieve these objectives.”
