Our Energy & Environment finalists include a ground-breaking light rail project, and a supercool, F1-inspired grocery innovation. This category is sponsored in part by BAE Systems
The new aerodynamic device was inspired and based on the design a Formula One wing. It channels the cold air from the top of an opened fridge down to the front of the fridge unit. This prevents it from escaping into a supermarket aisle.
Aerofoil can help supermarkets save up to 30 per cent on energy costs and has the potential to cut annually the equivalent of a month’s worth of the domestic CO2 emissions from a city the size of Manchester. The technology can also make shopping more enjoyable by redirecting cold air away form the aisles.
A UK-based consortium developed innovative processes for converting biomass and municipal solid refuse into hydrogen, or a drop in replacement of natural gas. This can be used to heat homes and provide power transport.
The pilot scale demonstrations have shown that the design includes a two stage gasification process and an intensified catalyst system. This allows for maximum yield and minimises residues. The project has led lead to the construction of the world’s first commercial demonstration plant to produce renewable gas while removing 7,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.
As part of Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR), Country City Council’s flagship transport project, a novel affordable low-carbon track form with significantly reduced costs targeting £10 million per kilometre has been designed and manufactured by researchers from The University of Warwick, together with design partners Ingerop-Rendel. The track form was created in parallel with a zero-emission battery-powered lightweight shuttle vehicle that is autonomous-ready.
This low-thickness track form can be used on top of existing highway support structures. This will reduce the depth at which contractors must dig and should allow utilities to remain in place. This project is an affordable alternative for traditional track forms, which significantly increases the market potential for light rail schemes within the UK.
Category Sponsor
We are committed to using world-class technologies to reduce environmental impact. We set an ambitious goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gases emissions across all operations by 2030. In 2021, we also announced that we would work towards a net-zero value chain by 2050. We have has also joined the United Nation’s “Race to Zero” campaign, an initiative that seeks to build participation in the move to a decarbonised economy. We’re delighted to be recognising the best innovations in this field by sponsoring the Energy and Environment category in The Engineer’s ‘Collaborate to Innovate’ Awards.