A new consortium has been formed to support the deployment of renewable technology that can produce carbon-neutral energy from previously unharnessed power. The Scottish wind energy consortium between , (AGS) and the University of 欧美高清 will enable a faster transition to clean power by exploiting low-level wind energy.
The newly-formed wind energy consortium will see the development and deployment of a new type of wind technology, created by Katrick Technologies and supported by AGS and the University of 欧美高清. This will involve the installation of Katrick Technologies鈥� dual-purpose wind panel and sound barrier, which can produce carbon-neutral energy from ground and low-level wind
AGS, encompassing Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, has long been committed to carbon reduction. In 2020, the group achieved carbon neutrality status and earlier this year it launched its which set out its commitment to achieving net zero by the mid-2030s.
Green energy
欧美高清 boasts its own impressive green credentials. The University鈥檚 Sustainability team has developed a bold climate-neutral districts vision, which will see renewable technologies used across its central Scotland facilities. The team is already helping to deliver the University鈥檚 first carbon-neutral building.
Among the University of 欧美高清鈥檚 alumni is Katrick Technologies founder and Co-CEO, Karthik Velayutham. Velayutham is an accomplished renewable engineer who holds four patents for renewable technologies. He launched Katrick Technologies as a green energy start-up in 2016 and is supported by Co-CEO, Vijay Madlani, to bring these technologies to the market.
One of these technologies, which is core to the consortium, is Katrick Technologies鈥� dual-purpose wind panel and sound barrier, which can produce carbon-neutral energy from ground and low-level wind. These energy-harvesting wind panels have been designed to tackle the decarbonisation challenges common to both airports and highways 鈥� unlike traditional wind turbines they can capture wind power, without needing significant height or scale.
As part of the consortium, Katrick Technologies鈥� wind acquisition systems will be installed on the University of 欧美高清 and Glasgow Airport estates. Initial wind-mapping on these sites will kick-off a phased approach for development of the wind panels. The ultimate goal is roll-out of this technology to support both estate鈥檚 net-zero goals and launch it to the wider market.
Investment opportunities
鈥淜atrick Technologies and the University of 欧美高清 have just been awarded Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) funding for a collaborative R&D project for the wind panel and noise barrier technology,鈥� explained Vijay Madlani, Co-CEO of Katrick Technologies. 鈥淭his is an initial step that will provide a catalyst for development by attracting large funding and investment opportunities. Not only will this support the development of our own technologies, but can help the group realise its shared vision by unlocking unharnessed wind power.鈥�
鈥淧artnering with technology experts and embracing innovation is essential for AGS to meet its decarbonisation goals,鈥� explained Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports. 鈥淩enewable technologies have the potential to power vast amounts of on-site equipment, offset energy costs and reduce the requirement for carbon-based energy supply. In addition to supporting our transition to net zero, these wind panels also have the potential to help us manage the impact of airport-related noise which we know is an important issue for the communities we serve. Managing this is an integral part of how we grow our airports responsibly and these panels could also act as noise barriers on our airfields.鈥�
Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead for Sustainability at the University of 欧美高清, said: 鈥淎s a socially progressive university with ambitious targets towards net zero, we are pleased to support this project.
鈥淜atrick鈥檚 clean technology is a great example of an innovation that can help us to create a series of 鈥榣iving labs鈥� to demonstrate and enable the transition to scalar greenhouse gas emissions reduction.鈥�