Government's Industrial Strategy could do more to reflect Brexit opportunities
The government has failed to account for the impact of Brexit in its Industrial Strategy green paper, according to a report by the Science and Technology.
The committee also repeat its call for the government to give a firm commitment to EU researchers working and studying in the UK as to whether they will continue to have a secure position here post-Brexit.
The report also calls for the government to complement its raft of initiatives to increase Stem skills, including the new further education T' level.
Toshiba fights for survival
Japanese giant Toshiba, the sole owner of the £10 billion NuGen nuclear project in Cumbria, posted losses of £4.2 billion for the first nine months of the year and warned that the annual losses could hit £7 billion.
The company warned of "material events and conditions that raise substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern".
Environmental groups oppose Shell’s plans to abandon North Sea structures
Royal Dutch Shell’s plans to leave behind structures in the North Sea when the Brent oil field is closed down have hit a hurdle after environment groups opposed the proposals.
The company has applied for an exemption to European rules that require companies to return the marine environment to its natural state after oil and gas operations are wound down.
However, eight organisations including WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth say that Shell has provided “insufficient information” to support its case.
Mott MacDonald to support UK smart energy innovation projects
Mott MacDonald has been commissioned to support the delivery of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS’) smart systems and storage innovation programme using its Energy Technical Specialist Framework.
The engineering consultancy will offer technical advisory, assessment and verification services. The consultancy will also assist in the technical development and management of the programme, including a use case tool for assessing energy storage costs. Support during bid appraisal, detailed project contract negotiations and delivery stages of the programme will also be provided.
The smart energy innovation programme is part of BEIS’ wider energy innovation scheme, which aims to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions and the cost of decarbonisation by accelerating the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes into the mid-2020s.
Rolls-Royce to supply automatic crossing system
Rolls-Royce has signed a deal with Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven to supply its automatic crossing system, for two new double-ended plug-in battery-hybrid ferries being built for Norwegian ferry company FosenNamsos Sjø.
The system, which will control the ferries as they cross the fjord between Flakk and Rørvik, will ensure safe and energy-efficient transit back and forth by automatically controlling the vessel’s acceleration, deceleration, speed and track. Two energy-efficient Rolls-Royce Azipull thrusters respond adaptively to environmental conditions to ensure optimal behaviour and maximise efficiency.
E.ON invests in clean tech
Energy giant E.ON has revealed plans to invest in kite-based drone technology designed to capture wind energy at high altitudes.
The German utility said it is to invest in plans to develop a demonstration project in County Mayo, Ireland, to test airborne renewable energy systems.
Airborne wind technology typically harvests energy by using a fixed wing or sail comparable to kite-surfing, with the drones flying at altitudes of up to 450 metres. The movement of the drones drives generators on the ground, providing clean power.
EPSRC enters Irish partnership
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) have entered into a partnership to encourage and support research applications that cut across national boundaries and involve collaborative teams from the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The agreement will support joint research and technology development in all areas of EPSRC's remit, with joint applications to be submitted to EPSRC and processed according to the council's standard peer review procedures. Successful UK-based groups will then be supported by EPSRC, while those based in Ireland will be funded by SFI.
£50m on offer for satellite solutions to help developing countries
The UK Space Agency has opened the latest funding competition for projects connecting the space industry and developing countries to help tackle economic, societal and environmental issues.
The latest tranche of funding will focus on issues around health and education.
The competition will close on 5 September 2017.
Hitachi seeks engineers for Doncaster rail depot
Hitachi Rail Europe, the company building and maintaining new intercity trains, says it is on schedule to employ 250 people at its new £80 million Doncaster depot.
The depot is hiring a brand new team to maintain new fleets of intercity trains inspired by Japanese bullet trains, which are due to start running next year, connecting northern cities to London and Scotland.
So far 60 people have joined the new depot team, with the next wave of recruitment underway, focusing on hiring local engineers with experience in mechanical and electrical work. The depot is also looking to attract new train maintenance apprentices to start in September 2017.
Toyota robot keeps elderly walking
Toyota Motor is set to commercialise rehabilitation robots later this year when it makes its robotic walk assist system available for hire in Japan.
A decade after it began developing rehabilitation robots, the world's second largest car manufacturer said the system would be ready to hit the market by the end of 2017.
Norton Motorcycles
Derby-based Norton Motorcycles has received £3 million in funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial to support the development of its new Norton V4 SS and V4 RR bikes.
The funding will directly result in around 40 new staff being hired. Production is due to commence in summer 2017.