Flexible Integrated Energy Systems
Flexible Integrated Energy Systems (FLEXIS) is a £24.5 million research operation designed to develop an energy systems research capability in Wales which will build on the world-class capability that already exists in Welsh universities.
The FLEXIS project, led by Cardiff University, Swansea University and the University of South Wales, brings together expertise from across these universities to facilitate an affordable, sustainable, and socially acceptable transition to a low carbon future. The five-year EU-backed project will look to solve a diverse, complex and inter-dependent set of challenges, ranging from energy storage, to decarbonisation and fuel poverty. By 2020, over £20 million of additional competitive research income is expected to be secured in Wales as a result of FLEXIS.
The operation will be delivered in two geographical areas: West Wales and the Valleys; and East Wales. FLEXIS has received £15 million in funding support through the Welsh European Funding Office. The project will focus on developing flexible energy systems, which is an urgent priority in energy generation and supply. It will make a significant economic impact through supporting and developing the internationally renowned research in this area, and more specifically through the new technologies and new jobs that will follow this work.
Its aim is to create a culture of research and innovation across Wales so that Wales becomes known across the world as a leader in energy systems technology. Part of the activity will also include driving innovation to create jobs and produce real economic impact. One of the key FLEXIS objectives is to create significant critical mass and attract new researchers to Wales. Embedding excellent researchers within research led companies in Wales, and we will be working to attract new companies to locate here, thus supporting the Welsh economy and creating jobs.
FLEXIS partners support cluster development through collaboration with private and public sector research organisations in Wales, throughout Europe, and worldwide to promote the products of Welsh research, the professional training courses that will result from this activity, and produce the graduate research engineers that are needed to make Wales one of the global leaders in energy research.
All of the research to be performed will focus on, and be applied at, a Welsh ‘place based’ demonstrator which is located at the Tata Steels works in Port Talbot.