This challenge is investing in electrification technologies, including power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD). The investment will support the UK’s push towards a net zero carbon economy and contribute to the development of clean technology supply chains.
The ‘Driving the electric revolution’ challenge aims to be the catalyst to building £5 billion more power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD) products in the UK by 2025, encouraging industry across all sectors to invest and collaborate with academia to establish a PEMD supply chain.
Our investments are helping business and researchers to:
- fill gaps in electrification supply chains and funding centres
- develop the next generation of products using PEMD
Other projects focus on the new approaches and tools needed to make these components in volume, and in the right timescales, to help manufacturers grow.
Driving the electric revolution supports PEMD in multiple industries, including (but not limited to):
- aerospace
- automotive
- energy (generation and distribution)
- industrial (from production equipment to robots and lighting)
- marine
- off highway (construction, agriculture equipment)
- rail
Areas of investment
Industrialisation centres
£33 million investment for four national centres of excellence in PEMD, based at existing areas of expertise in:
- Newport, south-west England and Wales
- Nottingham, Midlands
- Strathclyde, Scotland
- Sunderland, north-east England
These centres support research and development allowing businesses and researchers to develop and scale new PEMD technologies and manufacturing processes.
Find out more about the Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centres.
Collaborative innovation funding
Over £33 million is being invested in collaborative, industry-led innovation projects that will help businesses grow strategically important UK PEMD supply chains and develop manufacturing capability. These projects will enable UK to deliver the next generation of PEMD technologies across nine vital sectors undergoing accelerated electrification.
Talent and skills development
£6 million to support skills and training provision through:
- dedicated skills competitions
- an undergraduate award programme
- the creation of a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) truck and a STEM box for schools
- setting up the Electrification Revolution skills hub
The challenge has activities for everyone from school leavers and undergraduates, to experienced engineers and technicians looking to retrain to address the acute shortage of skills in PEMD.