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The Low Carbon Research Institute Energy programme is aimed at meeting Welsh Assembly targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by exploiting the knowledge in Welsh universities and helping industry develop new products, technologies and services, turning them into commercial reality.

As part of the programme, ground-breaking research projects will get underway in areas such as solar energy for heating buildings, hydrogen for powering transport, power generation using biomass and photovoltaic (PV) technology to generate electricity. The programme will also undertake cutting-edge research to develop zero carbon buildings and marine renewable energy sources.

Backed with £15 million from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government, the scheme will be led by Cardiff University in partnership with Glyndwr, Bangor, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Glamorgan Universities, who will also provide funding along with the private sector.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan, said:

"Wales has a vital role to play in tackling global environmental changes.

“This programme will place Wales at the forefront of industry led research to achieve more affordable low carbon energy, improve energy efficiency from a range of sources and reduce energy demand across all sectors.”

The six year programme is expected to create new job opportunities and contribute to Welsh Assembly targets of ensuring that all new buildings are zero carbon by 2011, that Wales reduces its carbon dioxide emissions by 3% per annum from 2011, and that Wales is self-sufficient in renewable energy – electrical power – by 2025.

As part of the programme, training will be available to assist individuals and business to support the new technology, products and processes developed, addressing the skills needed in the labour market to sustain a low carbon economy.

Professor Phil Jones, Head of Cardiff University's Welsh School of Architecture and Chair of the Low Carbon Research Institute (LCRI) said:

"The LCRI Convergence Energy Programme is a unique collaboration of Welsh Universities partnering local industries to provide a comprehensive cross disciplinary energy research base to support the Welsh Assembly Government's low carbon policies.

"It will significantly add to the LCRI's research capacity to establish Wales as an international leader in low carbon research."  

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