Keele University and Stopford Energy and Environment are now offering businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire fully-funded expert support to capitalise on the growth opportunities presented by the smart energy and low carbon economy.

As part of Keele University’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator*, a programme which aims to transform the UK’s largest university campus into a living laboratory researching, developing and testing the latest energy efficient technologies, the partnership will provide more than 200 local businesses from a range of industries with access to consultancy to identify development opportunities in low carbon and smart energy markets.

The consultancy services, which will be fully-funded and at no cost to participating businesses, aim to boost sustainable supply chains across Staffordshire and enable the county to benefit from the expected growth in the low carbon economy over the coming years.

Delivered by Stopford’s team of more than 80 multi-disciplinary specialists and building on their expertise of providing technical services to multinational companies such as BP, Shell, Total, Unilever and AstraZeneca, the consultancy service offers business support across a wide range of challenges including new technology development, energy and resource savings, market assessments and regulatory compliance.

Dr Ben Herbert, Stopford’s Director of Research and Environment, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Keele University and look forward to sharing our expertise in sustainable energy and the low carbon economy with Staffordshire businesses.  The project has so much potential to support the drive towards a cleaner, low carbon future, and we are keen to ensure that businesses are in a position to benefit from the upcoming demand in sustainable products and services.”

Prof Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Keele University, said: “Sustainability is a key priority at Keele University and we are committed to becoming more energy self-sufficient whilst at the same time developing world-leading research in environmental sustainability and driving the regional green economy.  Providing significant funded support for low carbon and smart energy among Staffordshire SMEs represents an important further step.”

If you are a Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire SME and are interested in finding out more about the opportunities available through the SEND programme, please contact Stopford Energy & Environment on 0151 357 7740, email SEND@stopford.co.uk or visit www.keele.ac.uk/send.

For details of other business support opportunities available to local businesses, please contact Keele University’s Business Gateway on 01782 733001 or email business.gateway@keele.ac.uk.

*The Smart Energy Network Demonstrator project (ref: 32R16P00713) is part-funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds England Growth Programme 2014-2020.  It is also part-funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).