Innovate UK is to invest up to £1.5 million in technical feasibility studies to encourage new entrants to the energy sector and stimulate the adoption of disruptive technologies.

The aim of this competition is to find innovative solutions to long-standing challenges faced by the energy sector. Innovate UK believe that game- changing technologies can solve these problems, either by the development of completely new ideas or through technology transfer from other sectors. They are therefore seeking proposals that are led by innovative SMEs, which can provide disruptive solutions to the challenges that are in the scope of the competition.

In order to encourage novel and radical solutions, projects must be led by an SME whose main business lies outside the energy sector. They can work alone or collaboratively with partners of any size from any sector.

Small businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium-sized businesses up to 60% and large business partners up to 50%. We expect projects to last 6 to 12 months and to range in size from total costs of £25,000 to £100,000, although we may consider projects outside this range.

Innovate UK particularly encourage applications from businesses engaged in, but not limited to:

inspection
ICT
digital
sensors
virtual reality
gaming
robotics
autonomous systems
advanced materials
manufacturing

Innovate UK are looking for radical, innovative and cost-effective ideas that contribute completely, or in part, to solving any of the following challenges in oil and gas, nuclear or energy systems.

Taking inspection to the limit
Dealing with data
Engaging in energy