Energy centre opens for business at uni science park

The energy centre at the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park is open for business.

Funded by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership ‘Local Growth Fund’ the project to create what has now been named ‘The Energy Centre at Thornton’ has completed ahead of schedule.

It will promote growth and acceleration in the development, demonstration and exploitation of technologies for the energy market.

It aligns to a wider regional energy strategy, including the adjacent Protos site, as well as the national Government Industrial Strategy.

Listed PowerHouse Energy Group has meanwhile committed to becoming a commercial tenant.

The scheme involved the complete gutting and refurbishment of an existing building on site, successfully conducted by Willmott Dixon.

The facility provides a flexible space where industry and academia are able to come together to innovate, develop and demonstrate new intelligent energy technologies.

Examples of technologies that may be tested and developed include:
•    New types of photovoltaic solar cells
•    Innovative electrical energy storage solutions
•    Developments in low power motor drives
•    Advanced software to control and manage multiple renewable energy sources connected to the same power network
•    New thermal systems based on stored and pumped heat

Brian Fitzpatrick, Energy Centre project director, who is also senior executive director and chief information officer, said: “We are extremely pleased that the development of The Energy Centre at Thornton has been completed ahead of schedule.

“We would like to thank Willmott Dixon and all their teams for making this happen, and colleagues and partners on site at Thornton for their patience and support during the building works for this project.”

The Energy Centre has been funded from the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), who contributed £6.8m from the Local Growth Fund awarded as part of the LEP’s Growth Deal.

Professor Joe Howe, executive director and professor of the Thornton Energy Research Institute said: “The Energy Centre will promote growth and acceleration in the development and exploitation of technologies for the energy market and is a flagship innovation project of the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone, of which Thornton is a designated site.

“This project forms part of a wider energy focus for Thornton Science Park, and indeed the region, ensuring the site is ideally placed to anticipate and fulfil the needs of the Government’s recently announced Industrial Strategy.”

John Adlen, growth director of the Cheshire Science Corridor at Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: “Cheshire and Warrington is a hotbed for science and innovation, home to a number of globally competitive science assets across the Cheshire Science Corridor.

“This is a nationally significant facility that really adds strength and complements the development of Peel’s energy hub Protos.

“It will drive research and innovation in the energy sector, and is a real flagship for Thornton Science Park and the Science Corridor as a whole.”

Paul Vernon, senior executive director of commercial operations, and chief executive of Thornton Research Properties, added: “The Energy Centre at Thornton will offer companies unrivalled possibilities to allow lightbulb moments to happen.

“They will be able to innovate, interact with clients and supply chain partners, in a state-of the-art building with access to the latest equipment and expertise for energy technology development and testing.”

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