University of Nottingham partnership sparks innovation in clean energy
A partnership that pairs researchers from the University of Nottingham with a UK manufacturer is set to strengthen the company’s competitive edge, by creating new capability and in-house-expertise in clean energy.
Kingsmill Industries Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of earthing materials, lightning protection products and equipment for global markets. The North Nottinghamshire-based firm has partnered with the university to help expand its portfolio and enter a new market through two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
KTPs are a three-way collaboration between a UK-based business or charity, a research organisation, and a qualified graduate known as a KTP Associate who has the capability to lead a strategic business project.
Applying research developed within the university’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group, based at the Jubilee Campus, KTP Associates Shah Meeran Zia and Shangkun Li will work alongside Kingsmill’s existing workforce, taking the lead and injecting know-how and expertise in power electronics and software, to create electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with smart functions.
Shah said: “As an individual Associate, my role in bridging the University of Nottingham and Kingsmill is a rewarding journey of connection and collaboration. Together, we're not only advancing clean energy solutions but also forging a powerful partnership that sparks innovation and drives positive change.”
The KTP will develop a UK-made electric vehicle charger with a supporting cloud-based portal, enabling Kingsmill’s customers to benefit from variable-tariff regimes and incorporating clean energy as a source of the charger's power supply. This activity will support Kingsmill in its expansion in the clean energy sector by developing an in-house manufactured product to serve the increasing demand fuelled by the growing adoption of electric vehicles.
Mark Sumner, Professor of Electrical Energy Systems at the PEMC Research Group said: “We envisage that these new products will allow end users to play an active role in how their electrical energy resources are used locally, benefitting electricity system operation, meaning fewer system “bottlenecks, and being rewarded with improved electricity prices.
“A good example of the function of the new EV charger is in using the battery of an EV to support the local grid at peak times, and then recharging the EV overnight when there are fewer demands on the grid. The portal will support system management and facilitate remote interactions by end users and provide a secure infrastructure to support innovative ‘Smart Grid’ technologies.”
The second KTP partners Kingsmill with Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) and KTP Associate Pischanath Ariyapolkanoksin and will see the creation of an innovative and bespoke material requirements tool and work-flow management module. The module will be capable of supporting rapid growth in the volume of transactions, while managing customer expectations, optimising inventory and human resource.
Luc Muyldermans, Associate Professor in Operations Management at NUBS, said: “Kingsmill requires tailor-made solutions to demand forecasting, production planning and inventory optimisation. This KTP touches on all aspects of materials planning and is a unique opportunity for us to develop, evaluate and implement cutting edge solutions to enable and sustain rapid growth in a complex business sector.”
David Thorpe, Kingsmill’s Managing Director, said “We are no strangers to Innovate UK’s KTP scheme, having successfully completed one in 2023, which enabled us to take huge steps forward in our ability to carry out sophisticated modelling of earthing and lightning projects. These two new projects with the University of Nottingham are very exciting for us and will enable us to hone our competitiveness through improved operational ability, as well as take us into exciting new markets in the renewables sector.”
Both projects aim to future-proof Kingsmill’s business strategy as it expands into a complex and demanding new market. With the support and expertise from researchers at the University of Nottingham, Kingsmill is on the front-foot in response to a global need for clean and renewable energy, while also putting the needs of its customers first.
