Clean energy industries are the industries which directly contribute to the clean power transition. These are the companies that are part of the supply chain, manufacturing and services relating to the deployment, construction, and maintenance of clean energy assets and products.
Case studies
Unlocking the future of space-based solar power, Northumbria University
Northumbria University's North East Space Skills & Technology Centre
Northumbria University and Lockheed Martin UK Space have joined forces on a project that aims to accelerate the delivery of space-based solar power.
Combining science and technology to support a more sustainable approach to space, the team are exploring the development of photovoltaic cells that could collect and convert laser power into usable power for satellites and future space and lunar vehicles.
Future applications of this technology could include space-based solar power for use on Earth too, which could mean provision of a consistent source of clean energy. By harvesting the Sun’s energy, this new form of solar power could potentially beam electricity wirelessly from space to Earth, bringing a new source of zero carbon power to connect homes and businesses without the need for large amounts of land-based infrastructure.
Northumbria University is a UK front-runner in research into photovoltaics and solar energy and our reputation for world-leading research in space and satellite technologies has grown exponentially in recent years. This exciting project with Lockheed Martin combines these areas of excellence and will enable us to innovate further to find new ways to generate and store renewable energy.
Professor John Woodward
Pro Vice-Chancellor for International and the Faculty of Science and Environment, Northumbria University
To support research like this, the state-of-the-art North East Space Skills & Technology Centre (NESST) is in development at Northumbria University, designed to be a focal point for space research, technological innovation and workforce development. A new national space asset, NESST is the result of a £50 million investment with partners including the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin UK Space.
Opening in 2026, the centre will feature world-class labs, testing suites and training spaces to foster hands on innovation, providing specialist STEM education and reskilling initiatives. It is forecast to generate over 350 jobs and inject £260m into the North East economy over 30 years.
Clean energy innovation, University of Bath
The University of Bath is driving the UK’s clean growth agenda through two pioneering centres: IAAPS and iCAST, both of which are transforming sustainable technology development and deployment across multiple sectors.
Located at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, IAAPS (Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems) is a world-class research hub focused on ultra-low and zero-emission transport technologies. Drawing on over 50 years of expertise, it collaborates with industry leaders including: Ford, McLaren Applied and GKN Aerospace to develop cleaner propulsion systems for automotive, aviation, marine and heavy-duty sectors.
Key achievements include:
- Cutting CO₂ emissions equivalent to 100,000 cars annually through engine efficiency improvements.
- Advancing hydrogen propulsion for aviation via the H2GEAR programme.
- Supporting regional hydrogen economies through the Hydrogen Sustainable Transport Economy Accelerator (HSTEA).
- Investing in future talent through doctoral programmes and apprenticeships.
IAAPS is not only accelerating decarbonisation, but also anchoring high-skilled jobs and industrial R&D, positioning the UK as a global leader in sustainable mobility.
Led by the University of Bath and University of Oxford and backed by £5 million from Research England and matched funds from partners, iCAST (Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies) bridges the gap between academic research and commercial application in sustainable chemical technologies.
Since its 2021 launch, it has supported over 40 industry projects and helped companies secure over £30 million in follow-on investment.
Notable innovations include:
- Naturbeads: Biodegradable microbeads replacing plastics in cosmetics.
- LabCycle: Circular economy solutions for lab plastics.
- Echion Technologies: Recycling of niobium-based batteries for advanced energy storage.
- Lepidico: Cleaner lithium battery production.
iCAST’s agile model enables rapid, low-cost access to expertise and facilities, de-risking innovation and accelerating sustainability in manufacturing. It also nurtures talent, having supported 15 graduates and 9 early-career researchers in the sector.
Together, IAAPS and iCAST exemplify the University of Bath’s commitment to clean energy, sustainable innovation and economic transformation, delivering real-world impact through research, partnerships, collaboration and skills development.