FLEXIS (Flexible Integrated Systems) – Please note this project has now closed.

Project description

FLEXIS is a £24 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. For the UK to meet its climate change commitments, energy systems will need to be developed that enable decarbonisation of our energy supply, whilst ensuring its security and affordability. The project will tackle pressing issues currently facing society, such as climate change, rising energy prices and fuel poverty. The research is based on four main pillars:

• Sustainability
• Security of Energy Supply
• Socio Economic Issues
• Welsh “Place Based” Demonstrator

Delivery model

The project is led by Cardiff University, Swansea University and the University of South Wales, with Aberystwyth and Bangor universities and the British Geological Survey also participating. Further partners include TATA Steel, Swansea Bay City Region and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The project focuses on 18 Work Packages looking into exciting developments from carbon capture to hydrogen storage, always taking in to account economic and social considerations. A demonstration site has been identified, centred on the TATA Steel Works in Port Talbot.

Geographical coverage

The project will benefit Bridgend, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf in the South East of Wales and also Gwynedd, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

Specific targets

• Amount of research funding secured – £26.012 million
• Enterprises cooperating with supported research institutions – 50
• New researchers in supported entities – 86

Contact details

Name: Dr Aleksandra Koj
Email: kojA@Cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone: 029 2087 5753
Address: Geoenvironmental Research Centre, Cardiff University, Queen`s Building, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
Website:
Twitter:

Progress

Progress to end Aug 2019

The project is progressing well, winning over £20 million in grants for Wales, publishing 226 papers and a research capacity of 86 staff.

FLEXIS organised and participated in a number of prestigious events:

• COP24 UN Climate Change Conference 2018
• Net Zero Carbon Wales 2040, Royal Society – Learned Society of Wales
• High profile visits which include the Minister of Cabinet, David Lidington, and Government regulators like OFGEM.
• The signing of MoU with Neath Port Talbot CBC, as public announcement of strategic collaboration on the Demonstration Area.

Other notable achievements include the recent Royal Academy of Engineer’s Chair of Emerging Technologies awarded to Prof Richard Dinsdale, for further research on Bio-electrochemical Systems.