A Derbyshire business has received funding through the Sustainable Construction innovation Network (iNet) to help develop its unique range of heating and energy systems.

East Midlands Renewable Energy Ltd (EMRE Ltd), based in Derby, is an engineering consultancy specialising in integrated control of renewable and sustainable energy systems for domestic and commercial properties.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the Sustainable Construction iNet offers grants of between £3,000 and £10,000, along with assistance and expertise in research and development of new products, processes or services to companies in the construction sector.

The £3,000 Innovation Support Grant will help to finance EMRE Ltd's involvement in the Sustainable Housing Innovation Network of Excellence (SHINE) and, specifically, the SHINE-Zero Carbon (SHINE-ZC) demonstration project.

Vincent Smedley, Technical Director of EMRE Ltd, was keen to get involved in SHINE.  He said: "Our business is currently focused on solar thermal, solar PV, air sourced heat pumps and season thermal storage technologies. SHINE-ZC will be the East Midlands' first zero-carbon social housing demonstrator and illustrates how an integrated 'whole system' approach can lead to truly sustainable dwellings at a realistic cost."

The iNet grant will allow EMRE Ltd to take a leading role in the SHINE-ZC project and fully exploit two of the key technologies the company has been developing in conjunction with Loughborough University. The first is the season thermal store technology that allows heat energy generated during the summer to be stored and released during the winter to produce domestic hot water and heating. The second is the whole system building environmental control system, which is a unique approach to controlling a building's heating, domestic hot water and electrical demand system. It will allow the SHINE-ZC demonstration project to achieve a sustainable zero carbon rating at an affordable price. It also leverages the significant knowledge base within the Midlands Energy Consortium (MEC) and the new Midlands Energy Graduate School (MEGS).

Nawal Arshad, Business Adviser for the Sustainable Construction iNet, has been working with EMRE Ltd to secure the funding.  She said: "The project builds upon the Sustainable Construction iNet's portfolio and the iNet grant helped the company to formulate a business and marketing strategy plan for the continuous development of its renewable energy products. This facilitated EMRE in collaborating with Shine consortium to become part of Shine Zero Carbon Demonstration project. iNet is encouraging all companies based in Derbyshire that supply products and services for the construction sector to develop ideas - not just renewable energies - to contact the Sustainable Construction iNet.  We will help them access funding, advice and information so that they can bring the product to market".

To qualify for an Innovation Support Grant, the applicant must be based in the East Midlands and operating commercially in construction or an associated industry sector such as mining, quarrying, waste management, energy or water supply. They must also require technical or consultancy assistance for their idea, product or process and expect to protect or create jobs as a result.

Businesses wanting to find out more about the Sustainable Construction iNet and the grants available should telephone 01604 892836 or visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/construction