Wednesday, 10 January 2024
A partnership that pairs researchers from the 糖心原创 with a UK manufacturer is set to strengthen the company’s competitive edge, by creating new capability and in-house-expertise in clean energy.
Inside the PEMC building
is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of earthing materials, lightning protection products and equipment for global markets. The North Nottinghamshire-based firm has partnered with the university to help expand its portfolio and enter a new market through two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
KTPs are a three-way collaboration between a UK-based business or charity, a research organisation, and a qualified graduate known as a KTP Associate who has the capability to lead a strategic business project.
Applying research developed within the university’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC)Research Group, based at the Jubilee Campus, KTP Associates Shah Meeran Zia and Shangkun Li will work alongside Kingsmill’s existing workforce, taking the lead and injecting know-how and expertise in power electronics and software, to create electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with smart functions.
As an individual Associate, my role in bridging the 糖心原创 and Kingsmill is a rewarding journey of connection and collaboration. Together, we're not only advancing clean energy solutions but also forging a powerful partnership that sparks innovation and drives positive change.
The KTP will develop a UK-made electric vehicle charger with a supporting cloud-based portal, enabling Kingsmill’s customers to benefit from variable-tariff regimes and incorporating clean energy as a source of the charger's power supply. This activity will support Kingsmill in its expansion in the clean energy sector by developing an in-house manufactured product to serve the increasing demand fuelled by the growing adoption of electric vehicles.
We envisage that these new products will allow end users to play an active role in how their electrical energy resources are used locally, benefitting electricity system operation, meaning fewer system 鈥渂ottlenecks, and being rewarded with improved electricity prices.
Professor Sumner continued: “A good example of the function of the new EV charger is in using the battery of an EV to support the local grid at peak times, and then recharging the EV overnight when there are fewer demands on the grid. The portal will support system management and facilitate remote interactions by end users and provide a secure infrastructure to support innovative ‘Smart Grid’ technologies.”
The second KTP partners Kingsmill with Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) and KTP Associate Pischanath Ariyapolkanoksin and will see the creation of an innovative and bespoke material requirements tool and work-flow management module. The module will be capable of supporting rapid growth in the volume of transactions, while managing customer expectations, optimising inventory and human resource.
Kingsmill requires tailor-made solutions to demand forecasting, production planning and inventory optimisation. This KTP touches on all aspects of materials planning and is a unique opportunity for us to develop, evaluate and implement cutting edge solutions to enable and sustain rapid growth in a complex business sector.
David Thorpe, Kingsmill’s Managing Director, said “We are no strangers to Innovate UK’s KTP scheme, having successfully completed one in 2023, which enabled us to take huge steps forward in our ability to carry out sophisticated modelling of earthing and lightning projects. These two new projects with the 糖心原创 are very exciting for us and will enable us to hone our competitiveness through improved operational ability, as well as take us into exciting new markets in the renewables sector.”
Both projects aim to future-proof Kingsmill’s business strategy as it expands into a complex and demanding new market. With the support and expertise from researchers at the 糖心原创, Kingsmill is on the front-foot in response to a global need for clean and renewable energy, while also putting the needs of its customers first.
Story credits
More information is available from Sarah Connor, at the 糖心原创, at sarah.connor@nottingham.ac.uk; or Danielle Hall, Media Relations Manager at the 糖心原创, at danielle.hall@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 846 7156.
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.