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0 EXPERTS IN ENERGY
A key area of UK clean-tech excellence is low-carbon energy production. In 2009, more than £7bn was invested in renewable energy technologies (including wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and nuclear) across the UK, the highest level of investment in Europe and the third highest globally. At least £100bn is expected to be
invested by companies and entrepreneurs in renewable energy in the UK over the next decade, as the country reduces its reliance on traditional fossil fuels and increases its energy security. There are already in excess of 1,000 businesses working in the sector and the number is rising all the time as the UK aims to obtain 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Growth is being stimulated by two
renewable energy incentives: the Renewables Obligation, which obliges UK electricity suppliers to use more renewable sources, and the Feed-in Tariff, which supports and encourages small-scale energy generation by both individuals and businesses.
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY
Another area of UK expertise is the provision of goods and services that enhance building, industrial and transport effi ciency. These include fuel-effi cient, low-carbon vehicles, modal shift, energy storage and sustainable construction. Today, for example, UK scientists at
Loughborough University are road testing the world’s fi rst hydrogen fuel cell motorbike, the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, a development set to introduce a new age of sustainable travel. Similarly, Nissan is to build the world’s fi rst affordable, mass- produced, zero-emission car, the Leaf, at its Sunderland plant from 2013, while the zero-carbon building projects of UK architects such as Zed Factory Ltd are attracting international attention.
WASTE AND POLLUTION CONTROL
The UK is also a provider of world-class technology-driven low-carbon solutions for the remediation of contaminated sites, the conversion of waste to energy and the design, development, installation and operation of air pollution control equipment. Mike Goodwin, deputy head of UK Trade & Investment’s Environment and Water team, says: “British companies have remediated more than 33,000 hectares of contaminated land in the UK alone and the waste industry provides a third of the country’s renewable electricity. The UK’s air pollution control industry, meanwhile, has considerable experience in a wide range of areas, including particulate and gaseous control, monitoring technology and consultancy and support.” UK Trade & Investment is promoting
the country’s expertise via a targeted campaign. “UK Know How seeks to establish an early presence for our low- carbon businesses in key markets such as India, China, Brazil and North America,” explains Talbot, “giving them a competitive advantage overseas.” Activities include trade missions such as the one UK Trade & Investment organised to the west coast of the US and Canada in February.
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