Cleantech Innovate 2017 – the finalists announced

The technologies on show from the finalists will cover the full gamut of the low carbon economy, from agri-informatics and hydrogen fuel cells through to waste recycling and electric trucking. The list of finalists includes companies from all parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, and Brazil, and the event will be structured according to the categories of the awards - biotechnology, renewable energy, low carbon transport, waste and energy efficiency. The full list of finalists can be found here.

Cleantech Innovate is being supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is sponsored by Climate KIC, Greenbackers Investment Capital, Marks & Clerk, and Granted Consultancy. Keynote addresses will be delivered by a BEIS representative; Chris Huhne, co-chair of ET Index Research; and Chris Holmes, Managing Director and Head of Waste and Bioenergy at the Green Investment Bank. The full agenda for the event can be found here.

Low carbon investors recently welcomed the £270m investment into the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund announced by the Chancellor Phillip Hammond in the 2017 Spring Budget, which is expected to foster innovation in clean technologies, in particular electric vehicles and offshore wind. The UK’s commitment to low carbon policies and regulation, however, has been thrown into question by the triggering of Article 50 and the uncertainty surrounding the nature of the policy landscape that will emerge when the UK eventually leaves the European Union. Investors are therefore looking to the Government to guarantee support for low carbon industry and not weaken sustainability and climate change targets post Brexit.

"It's vitally important that we as a country continue to invest in the green technologies that we absolutely need to reduce our carbon emissions and support the economy moving forward, particularly as we look to a future outside the European Union," said Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of We Are Orchard, who are organising the event.

"Cleantech Innovate will showcase the most cutting edge innovations coming out of the cleantech sector today and give those attending the chance to find opportunities for investment in the low carbon economy. It promises to be an exciting event!"

Speaking on their excitement and reasons for presenting at Cleantech Innovate 2017, Alan Archer, Managing Director at Alert Technology, said: "Alert Technology are thrilled to be a finalist at this year's Cleantech Innovate with an opportunity to introduce our patented technology to the cleantech community. The 'Asbestos ALERT' is the world's first real time warning device for airborne asbestos fibres - offering a risk reduction tool for the many companies who come up against asbestos as a problem in their projects. Whether asbestos is disturbed during the upgrade and improvement to the fabric of buildings, boilers or mechanical services; or during the disposal of waste, remediation of land or in the decommissioning of power stations etc., the ‘Asbestos ALERT’ provides a vital first line of defence to help prevent prolonged exposure to this airborne carcinogen. We welcome the prospect of meeting potential future commercial partners, suppliers and prospective investors who might become a part of our future commercialisation."

Nick Kitchin, CEO of Cumulus Energy Storage, added:"Cumulus Energy Storage is enabling renewable electricity – with the lowest cost grid level energy storage, using Copper/Zinc technology. We are building on the £3.2m raised to date by pitching at Cleantech Innovate for £4m for a 1MWh/month pilot line in Sheffield.”

Cleantech Innovate 2017 will take place at The Royal Institution in London’s Mayfair on 27th April. Highlights from the last Cleantech Innovate can be seen below.