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Region forges ahead with 'green' industrial revolution
27 July 2009
The South West is in the vanguard of a 'green' industrial
revolution, the RDA's executive director of enterprise and
innovation will tell a conference in Edinburgh today (Monday, July
27).
As the UK's first low carbon economic zone, Stephen Peacock will
say that manufacturing light-weight composite materials can make a
significant contribution to the South West's drive towards greening
the economy.
As an example of how the South West can lead the transition to a
low carbon economy, the RDA is investing £10.5 million to help the
region's aerospace industry develop light-weight materials for
aircraft wings and more environmentally-friendly engines.
Stephen Peacock's comments come on the first day of an
international conference - partly sponsored by the South West RDA -
on composite materials where renowned scientists, engineers and
designers from all over the globe will present their research
findings and be able to keep up to date with latest achievements
and developments in this very fast-moving and high-technology based
field.
A main theme of the conference organised by IOM Communications
Ltd on behalf of The British Composites Society will be
"Composites: contributing to the solution to global climate
problems - greenness to leanness." This symbolises the unique
contribution that composites can make to the global problems facing
society and will focus too on developments in natural
composites.
Research into composites at the University of Bristol is being
widely used by the aerospace industry, but it can also be used by
the advanced engineering and renewable energy sectors. Just last
week Danish company Vestas signed a formal agreement (Tuesday, July
21) with the university to develop the next generation of wind
turbines. Working with staff at the university's Advanced
Composites Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS), the company
will learn how lightweight materials for the aerospace industry can
be adapted to make turbine blades 100 metres long. This reduces
cost and allows for the production of high volumes of blades
required to meet future energy demand.
The RDA (along with UKTI, Bristol City Council and the renewable
energy agency Regen SW) has been instrumental in promoting the
strengths of the South West to the company in this area.
Stephen Peacock said: "There is some fantastic work taking place
in the South West. Aerospace has enjoyed a strong presence in the
region for many years and the research available at places such as
ACCIS heralds a bright, low carbon future for the industry, as well
as other companies who want to take advantage of this technology.
It is also a great way for South West industry, universities and
colleges to work together in the future, with the City of Bristol
College for example creating new training courses and modules in
composites that will be required at all levels and applicable to
all sectors. The South West will be in an excellent position to
support nationally strategic research and development programmes,
as well as lead the UK towards a low carbon economy."
Ends
Notes to editors
1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery. More information can be found at www.southwestrda.org.uk.
For more details contact: South West RDA press office: 01392
229389 - or on Twitter at SWRDAPress
Contact Details
Name: Fiona Clampin
Tel: 01392 229 389
Email: fiona.clampin@southwestrda.org.uk