Pictured above: (left to right) Derick Wilson and Tianning
Xu of both Blue Planet Buildings
'Green' buildings invented in the heart of Mansfield are
promising to improve or even save the lives of thousands of people
living in countries hit by natural disaster.
Local entrepreneur Derick Wilson has used years of experience
working with crisis teams to launch Blue Planet Buildings, which
has developed a portable, flat packed module building with a solar
skin that can generate its own useable electrical energy.
The innovation, which has been supported by the University of
Nottingham, means that Governments all over the world can react
quicker to the problems of temporary housing and Aid Agency's
'Rapid Response' and disaster accommodation, by using the fast
delivery of the company's flat packed module.
This simple effective solution is not only easy to transport,
but is cost effective and can be easily and quickly assembled by
non-skilled people.
Derick is already in talks with numerous aid agencies and the
pioneering nature of the product has also seen the firm shortlisted
for the 'Innovation in Sustainability' Lord Stafford Award.
The competition, which is funded by the East Midlands
Development Agency (EMDA), MAS East Midlands, the East Midlands
Universities Association and Lincolnshire County Council, looks to
recognise and celebrate 'innovative' collaboration between
businesses and universities that have resulted in new products and
services being launched.
"It all started about two years ago when I was working for the
Oman government, searching for 4000 portable buildings to house
families living in tents after the cyclone. The cost of shipping,
pre-installed infrastructure and lack of power made the project
undeliverable and got me thinking of a possible solution,"
explained Derick.
"I set about designing a flat-packed module building based on
the size of a shipping container (8' by 20') for easy movement. The
novel angle is that it comes equipped with all electrical and water
fixings pre-installed, thus removing the need and cost of tools and
craftsmen to put it up."
He continued: "The design incorporates on the outer face of the
roof and wall panels the latest solar material technology meaning
the building will generate its own power. There is nothing like it
on the market and I've got 23 claims within our patent currently
under review.
"Whilst rapid response was the germ of the idea, the concept has
many different uses and we are already seeing strong interest from
education, industry and commerce."
Blue Planet Buildings has worked extensively with the University
of Nottingham on material selection, design and manufacture of
utility panels and elements of the building design.
The Company has also taken on Tianning Xu through the
University's International Student Placement Programme and he has
been a tremendous support for the business by using his technical,
language and cultural skills to communicate and negotiate with
international suppliers.
The Chinese PhD Student has also gained 'real life' commercial
experience for his own career development through his technological
involvement within the development of the product.
"When you start something new you always need somebody to
rely on and bounce ideas off and the University were great in
giving us that sounding board, "pointed out Derick.
"As the relationship progressed we began to access more
specialist advice and I'm so pleased this partnership has been
recognised by the Lord Stafford Awards as it shows what can be
achieved by industry and academia working together."
Blue Planet Buildings, which already employs four people, is set
to have a major impact on the local economy with twelve more jobs
set to be created by the end of 2009 as it looks to secure its own
12,000 sq ft manufacturing and assembly plant in Ashfield,
Nottinghamshire.
The first order has already been placed through a 'match funded'
joint venture with Nottinghamshire County Council and The National
School Church of England Technology College, Hucknall. This will
see more than £400,000 invested into a new Learning
Centre.
Made exclusively using the modular buildings, the finished
facility will have three large teaching areas, offices, storage
rooms and a unisex toilet.
Furthermore, it will generate up to 36 kWh of electricity, at
peak, that can be exported back to the grid.
"Installation should start on 1st August 2009 and will take us
about a month to complete. When finished it offers an
excellent 'operational environment' to showcase the product to
other parties," added Derick.
"There is no doubt Blue Planet Buildings will be turning over
£5 - £6 million this time next year and with 80% of our
materials and subcontracting carried out locally, this will be a
major boost for the East Midlands economy."
The University of Nottingham's Paul Wilde, who manages the
Placement Programme, concluded: "We are delighted to be involved in
a groundbreaking new product that can have such a positive impact
on both a regional and global scale.
"From our point of view, it gives us the opportunity to work
with a local entrepreneur in their quest to commercialise leading
edge technologies and we have also established a clear route of
progression for one of our talented graduates in the process.
The Lord Stafford Awards, which is being held for the second
time in the East Midlands, will come to a grand finale on September
10th at The Epic Centre in Lincolnshire.