Catapult mission to transform UK energy systems

News
03/05/2016

The Energy Systems Catapult, which aims to create a clean, intelligent energy system for the UK, has announced it is relocating to smart new offices in Birmingham city centre this summer. The Catapult, which will create and foster innovation in the energy sector, will be moving into Cannon House, on Priory Queensway.

The Catapult has been set up in response to growing awareness of the need to take a whole system approach to the challenge of transforming the UK’s energy sector, both affordably and securely. The Catapult is also helping the UK capture commercial opportunities and create new businesses across the energy sector. Currently based at Birmingham Business Park, near Birmingham International Airport, the Catapult’s move brings with it exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

The vision for the 18,000 sq. ft. facility is for it to be an energy industry hub to facilitate and enhance innovation. As part of the building fit-out, the Catapult team will be creating a dynamic and flexible space that adopts best practice in energy efficiency as well as showcasing new technologies. Reflecting the Catapult’s culture, the new centre will support creativity, collaboration, private working and concentration, all aimed at encouraging innovation.

Marc Stone, Interim Chief Finance Officer for the Catapult, who is project managing the move said: “Cannon House represents the best on offer in Birmingham City Centre. It is close to the city’s excellent transport links, has great access to local amenities for staff and visitors and has a BREEAM excellence rating*. The building itself lends itself to innovation and creativity and it is both energy efficient and purpose built for collaboration. As a team, we are very much looking forward to getting settled in our new HQ and to working in this exciting, energy-efficient space.”

Philip New, the Chief Executive of the Catapult, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be moving to our building in Birmingham city centre. Cannon House gives us the opportunity to work in the way that is most natural to our creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial team. Central to our ethos will be open innovation: working with partners in industry, Government, academia and the vibrant SME community, both here in Birmingham and beyond. We look forward to welcoming them all to our new office at Cannon House.”

Rupert Young, Development Director at Nurton Developments added: "The Energy Systems Catapult is an excellent example of a company being drawn into the city centre both for sound business reasons and to be close to the fantastic amenities that Birmingham can offer. This location is ideal for progressive, creative and inspiring companies, enabling them to attract and retain the best talent. Cannon House, with its open plan floorplates, clearly encourages a more collaborative approach. Its extensive views over Birmingham's business core makes occupiers really feel part of what is increasingly an exciting new city."

The Energy Systems Catapult has been running since April 2015. It is one of eleven Catapults, created by Innovate UK, to drive growth in key industrial sectors. It’s programmes already include:

- delivering the UK’s largest programme addressing the decarbonisation of residential heat. A programme it has inherited from the Energy Technologies Institute;

- scoping city-scale smart energy demonstrators in partnership with industry, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and three local authorities;

- Future Power Systems Architecture work in partnership with DECC and the Institution of Engineering and Technology and;

- developing collaborative Whole System approaches to the energy challenge.

The Catapult will celebrate its official opening with a London launch event in May and will move to Cannon House later in 2016.