Translational Energy
Capabilities and expertise
We focus on low-carbon energy research that is at a technology readiness level of 3-6. This is crucial for shaping early stage research into proven, sustainable solutions, ready for commercial deployment in the UK and beyond.
The Translational Energy Research Centre will comprise of 24 pilot-scale permanent test rigs with the capacity to add more. These various rigs and facilities, together with the extensive range of online and laboratory analytical equipment will be highly integrated around a smart energy management module and low-carbon heat management system, with synergies between the rigs and processes optimised. As illustrated below:

Image for illustrative purposes only.
Low-carbon generation:
- Biodiesel engine generator
- CHP biomass gasifier
- Organic rankine cycle system
- Biomass grate boiler including bioenergy with capture and storage (BECCS) capability
- Gas turbines – with modifications for integration of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
- CHP engine for multi-sustainable fuel configuration
- Energy-from-waste boiler
Oxy-fuel and high-pressure supercritical CO2 (sCO2) technology:
- sCO2 base power cycle reactor
- High pressure heat exchanger test bed and shock tube facility
- Pulverised fuel/biomass oxy-fuel/air rig – modified for BECCS
Post-combustion CO2 capture and utilisation (CCU) technology:
- Amine CO2 capture plant – modified for integration with the flue gas and co-product gas manifold systems
- CO2 capture rotating packed bed
- Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and gas infrastructure for co-generation & next generation CO2 capture technology
- Fischer-Tropsch and fuels plant, and product gas infrastructure for utilisation of CO2
CCUS: Hydrogen production:
- Hydrogen electrolyser
Clean, renewable electricity generation:
- Electrical energy storage (batteries)
- Solar PV energy panels
- Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
General:
- Gas mixing facility – synthetic/model flue/process gas
Integration:
- Smart energy management (SEM) module
- Low-carbon heat management system