Wednesday 19 September 2018

Swansea Uni granted £36m to research green building materials

A consortium led by Swansea University has been granted funding totalling £36 million for clean energy innovation in the construction sector.

The university develops new building materials and coatings that generate electricity from heat and light, which can be used to power homes, hospitals and schools or sold back to the national grid.

The materials could replace conventional walls, roofs and windows, generating electricity which is stored and released by a smart operating system.

Chancellor Philip Hammond made the announcement to support the government’s ambition to at least halve the energy use of new buildings by 2030.

The Active Building Centre at Swansea University aims to transform the UK construction and energy sectors and help develop supply chain capacity.

During his visit to the university, Mr Hammond said: “Swansea University and the innovative companies working with it are world leaders in clean energy. The UK Government is backing the industries of the future that will deliver jobs and opportunities across Wales.

“This £36 million new funding will support exciting green technology that could cut energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and create better homes and workspaces.”

Other universities that are part of the project include Bath, Loughborough, UCL, Sheffield, Cardiff, Imperial College London and Nottingham.