The Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) has announced the nine winners of its 2023 Open Innovation Programme, which includes ScotlandIS member Heriot-Watt University.
The funding competition focused on developing and deploying data and digital technologies that can enable the delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions.
A total of 143 businesses applied for up to £500,000 each in funding from NZTC. The entire awarded sum surpasses £9m, comprising £3m from NZTC and more than £6m co-funded by industry partners.
The winning projects will support the transition towards net zero, trialling and deploying technology within the UK Continental Shelf.
The winning technologies are:
- Aircube – for the design and development of human-assisted, long range, robotic manipulation capability with haptic feedback.
- FutureOn – for development of their FutureTwin platform to incorporate renewable energy assets, carbon emission tracking and plant optimisation.
- Heriot-Watt University – for the development of robotics and un-manned vehicle inspection systems for offshore wind farms using forward-looking sonar.
- Nauticus – for executing underwater inspection and survey missions using supervised autonomy.
- Predyct – to develop its predictive maintenance system with nano-sensors to eliminate visual inspections and non-destructive testing on wind farms and offshore energy assets.
- Quasset – for the development of scalable and sustainable robotics for inspection, maintenance and support tasks on normally unattended facilities.
- SUPCON – for the development, pilot and deployment of an intelligent and autonomous ground robots and drones for greenhouse gas survey and assets inspection.
- VISR – for the development of a metaverse energy control room and unified platform for human-robot collaboration.
- XL Group – for accelerating the service industry’s capability for the provision of modular, scalable robotic fleet management.
Final award decisions are subject to due diligence checks and business case validation.
Rebecca Allison, chief operations officer at the NZTC, commented: “We had a fantastic response to our latest call for ideas and the competition was strong, which demonstrates the appetite for developing net zero focused technologies.
“By harnessing the power of real-time data collection, analysis, and predictive modelling, robotics and artificial intelligence the energy industry can access unique insights, make smarter decisions, reduce emissions and enhance safety.”
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: “I welcome this progress supporting cutting edge technology which will help Scotland reach net zero by 2045.
“These innovative projects can help us create an economy which is fair, green and growing.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord added: “Congratulations to all the businesses that were successful in their applications, I look forward to hearing more about the pioneering technologies and solutions they create.
“This will play an important part in securing the future prosperity of our energy sector and achieving our net zero goals.“