Centres of Excellence

A long tradition of innovation and 15 universites allow Scotland to consistently punch above its weight as a destination for world leading research and development operations.

This is particularly true of the wind energy sector where abundant natural resources and a well developed infrastructure make Scotland a premier destination for research and development investment.

Scotland’s wind energy centres of excellence include:

• Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) – largest, most broad based power and energy research partnership in Europe with around 250 academics and 600 researchers
• Scottish European Green Energy Centre (SEGEC) – based at the University of Aberdeen, SEGEC’s position at the forefront of renewable energy innovation was recently recognised with £1.6 million grant from European Regional Development Fund
• Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) - Part of the International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ) in Glasgow, the TIC will house 850 academics and 500 engineers, researchers and project managers from industry. Work begins on the University of Strathclyde-based centre in early 2012
• Scottish Energy Laboratory (SEL)  - Scotland's new national energy laboratory, a hub for Scotland's energy research, test and demonstration sector
• Hydrogen Office - created to accelerate the development of sustainable energy in Scotland by demonstrating the important role renewable energy can play in Scotland's future
• Institute for Energy Systems (IES) – based at the University of Edinburgh, IES has a current research grant portfolio of around £10 million
• University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) – committed to building renewable energy related research and development structures throughout the Highlands and Islands
• Energy Research Group (ERG) - coordinates energy related activities across 13 partner colleges and research institutions
• Wind Energy Systems Research Centre – based at the University of Strathclyde the centre will produce 50 PhD level engineers and scientists to help Scotland’s renewable energy commitments