I am glad to share with you that my county West Midlands (this is where I live) is set to become 'Energy Capital' of the UK.

The West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England and the second most populous county in England. It has 7 cities viz Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull and Coventry.

The 'Energy Capital' initiative, which brings together key partners from academia, industry and the public sector, aims to attract investment in smart energy technologies, research and infrastructure to deliver a wide range of economic benefits across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) region.

Bold new initiative to position the West Midlands as the UK's centre of clean energy technology was launched at this VIP event hosted by our University of Birmingham. In this event leaders from industry, politics and academia discussed their collective ambition for energy in the region.

Our University being the biggest here in West Midlands and known for focussing on energy, hosted the launch event which marked the creation of a single voice for the West Midlands on energy.

I attended this launch event. It started with a lecture on Accelerating Energy Research by Professor Sir David King, Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change.

 
In this lecture, Sir David discussed a new $30bn per annum public funding programme for research and development (R&D) into clean energy technologies, set to accelerate energy research.

The lecture concluded the launch of Energy Capital, a bold and inspiring new vision for energy in the West Midlands - the UK's focal point for future energy innovation and investment.

Highlights included:

Professor Sir David King, Special Representative for Climate Change, Chairman of the Future Cities Catapult and former governmental Chief Scientific Adviser, delivered a keynote speech on Mission Innovation, the global initiative to dramatically accelerate global clean energy innovation: The Foreign Secretary appointed Sir David King as his new permanent Special Representative for Climate Change in 2013. Sir David was previously the Government's Chief Scientific Advisor from 2000-2007, during which time he raised awareness of the need for governments to act on climate change and was instrumental in creating the Energy Technologies Institute. Sir David was knighted in 2003 in recognition of his efforts in the climate change debate. He plays a key role in leading Mission Innovation, launched during the COP21 Climate Conference along with Bill Gates and world leaders, aiming to unite public and private stakeholders to solve climate change.  

Petteri Huusko, Energy Expert from the Helsinki Environmental Department, discussed successful city energy management in Helsinki.

Mike Crone, Director of Purchasing and Property at Jaguar Land Rover and Director C&WLEP, on the need for competitive, clean power to support growth in the West Midlands.

Matthew Rhodes, chair of the Energy Capital Steering Group and Director of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, presented the Energy Capital vision and work plan

Birmingham (and the West Midlands) are known for having a rich industrial heritage. Infact Birmingham is known as the "city of a thousand trades ", and INDUSTRIAL CAPITAL of England. That's why everyone has very high hopes from this launch or initiative. Building on the region's excellent academic base, industrial heritage and track record of government investment, the Energy Capital initiative will provide a powerful and exciting new mechanism to support economic growth, ensuring that citizens and businesses of all sizes benefit from global energy system transformation.

The Energy Capital partnership is built on a strong foundation of capability, expertise and know-how, and includes:
Aston University University of Birmingham Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership Birmingham City Council Energy Systems Catapult Birmingham Energy Institute Energy Research Accelerator Coventry City Council Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership West Midland Combined Authority Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

In addition to its founding partners, Energy Capital works closely with a number of corporate supporters, including:
Climate-KIC Encraft Jaguar Land Rover National Grid Severn Trent Sustainability West Midlands Webster and Horsfall Western Power Distribution Westley Group.

Our University's impact:

Mission Innovation: Accelerating Energy Research 
For more than a century, research from our University has created a major impact on the city, the region and the world. Our early research has had a lasting impact on lives, culture, industry and society: our current research aspires to do the same.

Our University is currently studying the impact of climate and environmental change on woodlands.

Thanks to a transformational gift of  GBP 15 million, a new Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) will be established by the University to study the impact of climate and environmental change on woodlands. In addition to on-campus laboratories, the Institute will comprise ground-breaking field facilities, enabling scientists to take measurements from deep within the soil to above the tree canopy. 

Sources:

www.energycapital.org.uk 

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/02/energy-capital-launch.aspx

http://www.rawm.org.uk/about-west-midlands