One of the largest and best-equipped R&D facilities in Europe for low-carbon technology development
World-class research and innovation
TERC is a world-leading pilot-scale testing and demonstration facility based at the University of Sheffield.
We give industry pioneers and researchers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge equipment and world-leading academics to develop innovative technologies which can decarbonise our energy systems.
Home to some of the largest and most exciting testing equipment in Europe, we work with a whole energy system approach which bridges the gap between academic research and commercial use.
Accelerating R&D
TERC offers a fast-track to developing early stage research into future products, getting them ready for deployment in the UK and beyond.
Our working model helps to remove the financial risk of large-scale industrial pilot trials, and offer enhanced capacity, flexibility and a wide range of testing options for our partners.
TERC is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Testing and demonstrating innovative solutions to critical energy challenges
Whether you are a large business, small research project or anywhere in between, TERC provides access to fast, effective and better-value research and development.
We focus on research at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3-6, which means results can be scaled confidently and with a faster transition to market.
The research areas we can support are:
- Hydrogen
- Sustainable and zero-carbon fuels
- Decarbonisation of conventional energy
- Carbon capture, utilisation and storage
- Bioenergy
- Renewable energy
- Energy storage
- Energy efficiency
- Smart grids
Our expertise
The Translational Energy Research Centre builds on the success of the University’s Pilot Advanced-Scale Capture Technology (PACT) facility. Demand for that facility outstripped capacity, and the Translational Energy Research Centre was designed to take its place.
Our academics and technicians, led by Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian OBE, are world experts in their field.
Their knowledge of complex areas of research and their applications in industry and society means we can work together with you to achieve your R&D goals and find sustainable energy solutions for our planet.
Working together
TERC works with:
- Companies of all sizes, from international industry partners to technology start-ups, who need additional capacity for R&D
- Academic research teams wishing to access advanced testing facilities and the opportunity to collaborate.
- Regional enterprises of all sizes, and in particular SMEs.
- Other world-leading research and innovation centres.
If you’d like to work with us, get in touch at terc@sheffield.ac.uk or click through to our contact page below.
The Energy Innovation Centre (EIC)
The Energy Innovation Centre is a new way to work with us at TERC and SAF-IC.
The Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) offers partners from industry access to the University of Sheffield’s national pilot-scale laboratories – TERC and SAF-IC – and other infrastructure operated by the Energy Institute.
EIC industrial members will support the EIC in developing and implementing innovation strategy, setting the EIC’s mission-oriented research and innovation priorities and creating successful collaborations that advance collective objectives and support the net zero energy transition.
Membership enables industrial partners to carry out innovative R&D projects with some of the largest and most exciting equipment in Europe.
The EIC is open to industrial partners of any size, from SMEs to multinational corporations, and provides a platform to prove, test, develop and optimise new technology and ideas, and up-scale and develop technology on a cost-effective basis before investing in commercial-scale testing or production.
Membership is available at three different tiers.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of the EIC, please get in touch at terc@sheffield.ac.uk.
Part of something bigger
The Translational Energy Research Centre is part of the University of Sheffield’s Energy Institute. The Energy Institute highlights the work of over 300 researchers across a wide variety of disciplines who focus on the generation and use of energy and its implications.
The Energy Institute has access to some of the best minds in energy research, and has successful industry partnerships with global companies such as Siemens, Boeing and McLaren.
The Translational Energy Research Centre is located in the University of Sheffield Innovation District (USID), part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District. It sits alongside facilities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the Nuclear AMRC and Factory 2050.
In order to bring together the technology, research and innovation happening across the UK and in the North, the facility and its neighbouring research centres will make up part of the Northern Corridor for Energy Innovation Growth Centre.
Outreach
We’re part of an exceptional research community. Much of our research output and commercial commitment is driven by industrial needs and the next generation of technologies, supported by UK and international policies and commitments.
We also strive to align closely with the UK government’s ambitions for the future of our energy landscape, including the net-zero emissions target.
The Translational Energy Research Centre is currently the custodian of the International Carbon Capture Test Centre Network (ITCN), a member of the European CCS Laboratory Infrastructure and the custodian of the International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF).
Read more about our capabilities and expertise in our full brochure
