IRC North - For technology transfer

Event Reports

TGRE Naples - Renewable Energy at the heart of Europe

Over 9-10th March 2007 Martin Attended the Thematic Group - Renewable Energy meeting in Naples. It was held as part of the EnergyMed 07 renewable energy tradeshow, attended primarily by companies from Southern Europe to investigate and source the latest in renewable energy technologies.  It willl be no surprise that many different approaches to both wind power, solar electric and solar thermal energy were on display.

 The Technology Transfer Day was attended by 124 companies and research organisations from 14 countries. They discussed 143 different technology profiles registered witht he event (43 Technology Requests, and 100 Technology Offers), which resulted in 350 bilateral meetings to explore potential collaborations.  It is too soon to say how many of these will result in successful and profitable technology partnerships, but the IRC network will continue to support these negotiations to their conclusion.  For furthe details of the technologies involved, see the Event Catalogue.

Just as importantly, the pasta was great and it's true: driving in Naples requires a degree of skill ususally reserved for close quarters combat training. Even amongst the Italians apparently it's reputation is well deserved.  Nevertheless Neapolitan hospitality can be highly recommended!

For those wishing to get involved in renewable energy technologies, the following events will have brokerage services:

• Renexpo 07,  Augsburg Germany September 2007
• OkoBudapest 07, Budapest Hungary, October 2007
• ITER Project Conference, Nice France, December 2007
• EnergyRes, Athens Greece, March 2008
• World Bioenegry 08, Jonkoping Finland, May 2008

Details of which can be found in the events section.

NOF Energy Global Technology Focus Meeting

Martin Spoke at NOF Energy's innovation meeting on 29th March 2007. The speakers included John Summers, Technology Manager for the BG Groupas a whole, discussing his company's plans and needs for gas exploration and handling technologies.  Neil Poxon, MD of the Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) describes his bodies pivotal role in developing and managing collaborative research projects into oil and gas technologies on behalf of the major oil companies.

Martin rounded off the meeting with a description of how to find "the next big thing" and gave examples of technologies and skills that are currently being sought via the IRC network, which oil and gas contractors would be ideally placed to take advantage of.

As a result of this meeting several companies have expressed interest in the technologies exhibited and negotiations are ongoing.

Martin would like to extend his thanks to George Rafferty and Joanne Leng for their kind support in inviting him to speak, the lunch was excellent, as ever and attendance was healthy irth over 70 people enjoying the chance to meet and network.  For further details of NOF Energy's services and events see their website.

NanoMaterials 07 Conference

Martin & Catherine attended the inaugural European NanoMaterials event held 30th April-1st May 07, organsied by Nanocentral as Europe's first conference dedicated to the practical use and application of nano-scale materials. NanoMaterials07 featured a variety of national and international companies active in the nanomaterials revolution.  Leading industry experts from the markets of Personal & Health Care, Materials for Electronics, Plastics, Polymers & Composites and Coatings & Inks presented their thoughts on the opportunities and challenges facing different markets in the commercialisation of nanomaterials.

The diverse range of speakers replected the cross sector nature of nanomaterials and made for some interesting debates over coffee.  IRC North had range of nanotechnologies on display from the network, which generated interest amongst the audience which we are still following up.

It is hoped that we will be organising a full technology brokerage event as part of NanoMaterials 08 next April, watch this space...