Coventry is set to become a hotbed for low carbon innovation
after Coventry University, in partnership with Coventry City
Council, was officially awarded global 'Living Labs' status by the
Brussels-based European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL).
It makes the city one of only three UK sites to be granted the
status in 2011.
The Coventry organisations' membership of ENoLL will see the
University's Technology Park become a real-life test and
experimentation environment for low carbon innovations,
strengthening the city's and the University's existing green
agenda.
It is anticipated that the Living Labs branding will help
attract investment in the area from both the UK and abroad,
potentially creating new jobs as companies seek to trial their
eco-friendly concepts and products in a new and purpose-built
environment, and then export those ideas to the international
community via ENoLL.
The plans represent a boost to Coventry University's applied
research activities - particularly its programmes on the
advancement of low carbon vehicles and low impact buildings - as it
increases the scope for the development and introduction of
renewable and environmental technologies in the region.
The Technology Park has already made its mark on the low carbon
map by installing one of the only hydrogen fuelling stations in the
country, which Microcab - the University's spin-off zero-emission
car company - uses to power its brand new fleet of fuel cell
vehicles for the £25 million Coventry and Birmingham Low
Emission Demonstrators (CABLED) trial.
California-based electric vehicle battery manufacturer Evida
also recently set up its UK headquarters on the University's
Technology Park, citing the region's engineering resource as a key
reason for the move.
Both Coventry University and Coventry City Council believe the
new Living Lab will play a key role in enhancing Coventry's
presence on the global low carbon scene.
John Latham, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Development at
Coventry University, said:
"The success of Coventry University and Coventry City Council in
securing ENoLL membership and being awarded European Living Labs
status underlines both organisations' commitment to helping to grow
Britain's green economy.
"This is one of many exciting opportunities emerging through the
UK's low carbon revolution, and one which we aim to take advantage
of to position Coventry as a leader in the field."
Coventry University and Coventry City Council will be exhibiting
on a joint stand at the Cenex LCV2011 Low Carbon Vehicle event at
Rockingham Motor Speedway in September. They will be joined by
regional, national and international policy-makers as they showcase
the region's carbon reduction capabilities through transport.
For more information about Coventry University, please visit
their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk