The University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group has been announced as a member of the Chilean Institute of Clean Technologies, making it the first UK institution to join the programme.
The PEMC building. Image Credit: © University of Nottingham
The $123 million project, which is one of the biggest in the history of Chile, aims to develop advanced technologies for sustainable mining in areas including hydrogen, solar energy, electromobility and more over the next ten years as part of the journey towards net zero.
Professor Pat Wheeler, Head of the PEMC Research Group, said: “We have collaborated with several university partners in Chile over the past 30 years, meaning we already have incredibly strong foundations on which we can build on as part of the institute. Being part of this project provides us with the exciting opportunity to be at the heart of progress when it comes to sustainable industry development and contribute more widely to tackling climate change.”
The PEMC Research Group is one of the largest in its field, made up of 27 academic staff, 60+ research fellows, 90+ PhD students as well as project managers and administrators, based in the recently opened £56 million research facility on the university’s Jubilee Campus.
Professor Marco Rivera, of the PEMC Research Group, said: “To be the first UK institution to join the institute is something we’re extremely proud of, it’s going to put the exciting technologies we’re creating here in Nottingham on the world stage as they will be tested in real industrial environments. We’re turning our research into reality and helping to solve real-world challenges that are relevant across the globe – not just in Chile.”
Víctor Pérez, Executive Director of the Asociación para el Desarrollo del Instituto de Tecnologías Limpias (ASDIT), who is in charge of developing this project in Chile, said: “We are very happy to have the prestigious experience of the University of Nottingham, specifically the PEMC Research Group, and we are sure that the team will provide a tremendous contribution to the challenges we will develop at the institute.
“The Clean Technologies Institute (ITL) is a historic project for Chile and is an example of integration, linkage, positive impact, and commitment to the sustainable development of our country and the world. The contribution of international institutions like this university is key to having different perspectives and the best tools worldwide.”