Regional Focus
Case study : Intelligent Energy Holdings
Intelligent Energy Holdings is a British energy technology group which develops efficient and clean hydrogen fuel cell power systems for the global automotive , consumer electronics , distributed power and generation markets .
An IP-rich company with over 25 years in R & D , resulting in 1,000 + patents granted ( and over 1000 patents pending ) across more than 400 patent families , its origins trace back to the development of proton exchange membrane ( PEM ) at Loughborough University in the late 1980s .
Its principal facility and headquarters are at LUSEP , with operations in India , Japan and Singapore , a commercial office in Silicon Valley , US and development facilities co-located at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission in Grenoble and at NASA in Florida , USA . Recent achievements include
• The delivery of over 10MWh of clean and efficient power to telecom towers in India , enough energy to power approximately 20,000 UK homes for an hour .
• A signed letter of intent with a major drone manufacturer to develop hydrogen fuel cell powered drones , to increase drone flight time .
• A partnership with an emerging smartphone OEM with the goal to develop embedded fuel cell technology for the manufacturer ’ s devices .
Intelligent Energy ’ s embedded fuel cell technology has the potential to revolutionise consumer electronic products
Many of the largest governing bodies and national sports organisations are based on LUSEP in SportPark , a £ 15 million development housing British Swimming , The English Institute of Sport , Sport England , the Youth Sport Trust and many more .
In 2008 the Sports Technology Institute opened on LUSEP . The £ 15 million facility is home to the University ’ s Sports Technology Research Group , one of the worlds ’ leading research groups of its kind , working with global brands such as adidas , Callaway Golf , Canterbury of New Zealand , Dunlop , New Balance and Nike , on the design , simulation , testing and manufacture of sporting goods .
The University campus is also home to the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine East Midlands , a partnership of scientists and clinicians working to benefit the health and wellbeing of the nation – from everyday people at risk of ill health through to elite athletes .
Current expansion LUSEP ’ s current expansion – made possible with City Deal investment – sees the development of seven hectares , now available as fully serviced plots for design and build .
The first building to be developed as part of the expansion , the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre , was made possible with support from the European Regional Development Fund . Opened in September 2015 and already at 85 per cent occupancy , the 3,000 square metres building caters for start-ups to larger technology SMEs .
LUSEP is set to play a significant role in local and regional economic growth in the future . It ' s at the heart of The Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone , one of the new Enterprise Zones announced by Chancellor George Osborne in the March Budget speech . The Midlands Engine innovation theme recognises the importance both of universities like Loughborough , and also the key role of the region ’ s science parks .
The University ’ s complementary research base spans the generation , supply and demand for energy and includes : the invention and improvement of new and renewable energy technologies ; the efficient and flexible generation of power ; nuclear energy and waste ; electrical and thermal energy storage ; the efficiency of conventional transport systems ; transport and travel ; and end-use energy demand in buildings and for travel .
Specialist R & D facilities on LUSEP include the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology , which houses one of a handful of laboratories in the world with ISO17025 ( calibration ) accreditation to measure solar cells and modules .
Sport innovation Loughborough University and LUSEP also provide a unique innovation environment for the sports sector . The campus is often referred to a living lab with the highest concentration of elite athletes studying and training onsite .
The co-location of sports organisations at Loughborough strengthens innovative partnerships between sports organisations and the University ’ s applied research and teaching practice .
SportPark on LUSEP – home to many national governing bodies and sports organisations
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