North East Clean Growth & Infrastructure R&D Companies Directory

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is the UK's leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy. It accelerates the development and commercialisation of offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy technologies by bridging the gap between research and industry. Its work has evolved from foundational infrastructure support to leading complex, multi-sectoral consortia focused on decarbonising the maritime sector and advancing circular economy practices in renewable energy.

Connected Energy develops energy storage systems using second-life electric vehicle batteries, focusing on grid stability and renewable integration. Their work has evolved from large-scale smart local energy system demonstrators to advanced battery reuse, recycling, and port infrastructure projects, aiming to create a circular economy for EV batteries.

JR Dynamics (trading as Transmission Dynamics) is an engineering company specialising in remote condition monitoring and predictive maintenance systems for rail infrastructure, offshore wind, and other industrial assets. They develop sensor-based IoT solutions that collect and analyse data using machine learning and AI, enabling operators to move from reactive to predictive maintenance. Their work has evolved from component-level gearbox and pantograph monitors to integrated data platforms and anomaly detection systems, with an increasing emphasis on digital twins and AI-driven automation.

OS Energy is a clean maritime technology company specialising in zero-emission propulsion systems and energy-saving devices for ships. Their work encompasses hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and hybrid-electric solutions, alongside innovative propulsors like Tubercle Assisted Propulsors (TAPs). The company has evolved from early feasibility studies to large-scale demonstrations and is now developing training frameworks for alternative maritime fuels.

Material Evolution is a UK-based climate technology company developing low-carbon and carbon-negative cements. Using proprietary AI-driven materials design and patented chemistry, the company transforms industrial by-products from steel and chemical industries into geopolymer cement at ambient temperatures, aiming to decarbonise the construction sector. Their work has progressed from research and small-scale demonstrators to planning a commercial-scale mega-factory.

Globus Metal Powders, part of the Liberty/GFG group, specialises in producing high-value metal powders from recycled waste materials for additive manufacturing and other advanced applications. They have developed atomisation technologies to improve yield and upcycle machining swarf into aerospace and medical-grade powders, and are now expanding into hydrogen production via solid oxide electrolysis.

Power Roll (formerly Big Solar Ltd) develops ultra-lightweight, flexible solar photovoltaic technology using a patented microgroove architecture that enables low-cost roll-to-roll manufacturing. Their work has evolved from early feasibility studies and prototype development to collaborative field trials of off-grid mini-grid systems in India and Africa, and they are currently developing a mobile energy solution (ePowerCart) for remote communities.

Grid Smarter Cities develops intelligent kerbside and urban logistics management solutions to reduce congestion and emissions. Their work evolved from a crowd-sourced delivery platform (DASH) to dynamic kerbside management (Kerb), waste management (Skiptrac), airport accessibility (ADAPT), and construction freight coordination (FTCP). They collaborate with local authorities and technology partners to deploy scalable, real-time systems for cities.

D&D Armstrong Ltd, trading as North Sea Logistics, is a small company based in North East England. It has developed a novel Pivoting Deck Vessel (PDV) design to enable safe and cost-effective crew and cargo transfer to offshore wind turbines in rougher sea conditions, aiming to reduce turbine downtime and lower the cost of offshore wind energy. The company's only known grant-funded project, for prototype construction, was withdrawn before completion.

Duodrive is a marine propulsion specialist based in Tees Valley, developing zero-emission hydrogen-electric drivetrains and high-efficiency contra-rotating propeller systems for small commercial and service vessels. Their work addresses the pressing need to decarbonise maritime transport, evolving from initial electric propulsion concepts to integrated hydrogen storage, fuel-flexible engines, and smart shipping data platforms. They collaborate extensively with industry partners and research organisations to demonstrate viable net-zero solutions for sectors like offshore wind and port operations.

H2CHP is a Durham University spinout developing fuel-flexible linear generator technology for distributed power and maritime applications. The company's patented free-piston engine generator can operate on multiple fuels, enabling cleaner, quieter shore-to-ship power for ports and flexible grid storage. Their work has progressed from early-stage commercialisation to pre-deployment trials in UK ports.

Natural Synergies Ltd develops low-cost, low-energy technologies for faecal sludge dewatering and anaerobic digestion, converting waste into biogas and fertiliser for sanitation and clean energy in rural UK and developing countries. The company has progressed from feasibility studies to industrial research and pre-commercialisation, securing five Innovate UK grants as lead partner.

Taurus Engineering is a small UK engineering firm specialising in clean maritime technology. They develop retrofittable propulsion systems, smart renewable energy generation and storage, and AI-driven energy management for vessels and coastal ports. Their work has evolved from retrofitting hydrogen and battery propulsion on a crew transfer vessel to leading feasibility studies and pre-deployment trials of integrated wave, tidal, and battery systems.

The North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) is a cluster organisation that coordinates and drives decarbonisation and circular economy initiatives within the Teesside industrial cluster, one of the UK's largest and most integrated chemical and energy hubs. Through collaborative roadmaps and deployment plans, NEPIC brings together industry, academia, and government to enable net-zero targets, identify low-carbon technologies, and develop sustainable supply chains for chemicals like olefins.

Newcastle Marine Services is a naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy based in the North East of England. The company specialises in zero-emission vessel design and retrofit, with a focus on hydrogen fuel cells, electric propulsion, and hydrofoiling technology. Their work has evolved from feasibility studies to demonstration projects and the development of a decision-support tool for the maritime industry.

equiwatt is a small energy technology company focused on demand-side flexibility and network management. Initially exploring second-life batteries for domestic storage, they now develop modelling tools and flexibility products to help distribution network operators manage the growing demand for space cooling. Their work aims to reduce peak load and network reinforcement costs.

Wessington Cryogenics is a specialist manufacturer of cryogenic storage and distribution equipment, providing critical infrastructure for liquid gas applications. The company has evolved from supporting transport refrigeration and auxiliary power systems to becoming a key partner in the development of liquid hydrogen storage solutions for the aerospace and clean energy sectors. Their work focuses on the engineering of high-performance vessels and systems that enable the transition to zero-emission propulsion.

EQUANS Services is a large-scale provider of energy, technical, and facility management solutions, focusing on the decarbonisation of urban and industrial infrastructure. Their work involves the design and implementation of smart local energy systems, industrial cluster decarbonisation plans, and place-based net-zero strategies. Through their grant history, they have evolved from internal data-driven resource optimisation to leading and collaborating on complex, multi-stakeholder regional energy transition projects.

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is a regional public sector body responsible for driving economic growth and industrial decarbonisation across the Teesside region. Their work focuses on coordinating large-scale infrastructure projects, fostering innovation ecosystems, and developing strategic roadmaps to transition the region's heavy industrial cluster to net zero. Through collaborative partnerships with major energy and chemical firms, they facilitate the integration of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies into the local industrial landscape.

Future Transport Systems Limited specialises in energy storage systems, particularly repurposing second-life electric vehicle batteries. Their E-STOR system is designed for stationary storage applications, with research exploring its use in developing countries. The company collaborates with automotive and academic partners to advance battery reuse technology.