Q: What is Cenex?
A: Cenex is the UK's first Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies.
Q: What is the purpose of Cenex?
A: Cenex has been created with the aim of bringing together the many UK organisations demonstrating excellence in specialist fields related to low carbon and fuel cell technologies. By improving knowledge transfer between these organisations and by supporting the development and application of their technologies, Cenex can assist the UK motor industry to build competitive advantage based on national leadership in the global shift to a low carbon economy. Cenex's activities will assist in developing early markets for low carbon and fuel cell technologies in automotive applications, with the aim of supporting supply chain development in the UK and showcasing UK expertise to encourage inward investment.
Q: What are low carbon and fuel cell technologies?
A: In an automotive context, low carbon technologies are those that can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. They fall broadly into four categories:
lightweight materials for vehicle weight reduction
powertrain development for improved fuel efficiency; including advanced engine technologies as well as electric and hybrid electric drive-trains
driveline developments for improved system efficiency based on advances in mechanical and electric components. Examples include developments in mechanical transmissions (e.g. 6 speed, automated gearbox/clutches) and electrical components (e.g. energy storage devices such as batteries, flywheels, ultra-capacitors)
the use of alternative fuels that can help lower well-to-wheels carbon dioxide emissions. Examples include developments to help utilise bio-fuels and hydrogen in vehicles.
In terms of energy efficiency and performance, fuel cells represent the most promising alternative to the internal combustion engine. These electrochemical devices produce electricity and heat from the combination of hydrogen and oxygen, with the only by-product being pure water.
The oxygen for fuel cells comes from air, but the hydrogen needs to be produced, either by releasing hydrogen from fossil and renewable hydrocarbon fuels, or by using electrolysis to obtain hydrogen from water. In future, a ‘hydrogen economy’ is expected to develop, fuelled by hydrogen generated using electricity from renewable sources, thereby offering the prospect of energy supply with no associated carbon emissions.
Q: Why is a centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies required?
A: The concept of a Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies arose from the recommendations in the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (AIGT) report of November 2002. The AIGT brought together leading figures from the UK automotive sector to identify the issues likely to have the greatest impact on the long-term profitability and productivity of the sector. Members identified the need for the UK automotive sector to respond competitively to the challenges posed by the transition to low carbon and fuel cell technologies that is already underway. The AIGT recognised that the UK is host to many excellent organisations already developing low carbon and fuel cell technologies. It foresaw the creation of a Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies as a unique opportunity to use an industry-led public-private partnership to enhance UK industries' overall capabilities using strategies focused on knowledge transfer and technology demonstration.
Q: Why is the development of low carbon and fuel cell technologies so important?
A: Compared with conventional vehicle and engine technologies, low carbon and fuel cell technologies can reduce the transport-related greenhouse gas emissions that are currently contributing to global warming and climate change. The successful exploitation of the business opportunities afforded by low carbon and fuel cell technologies therefore offers both environmental and economic benefits. UK Government policy is to lead the global shift to a low carbon economy, whilst simultaneously building competitive advantage for UK industry. As a consequence UK policy combines challenging targets for reducing carbon (dioxide) emissions with a strategy focused on implementing technology-based market change, catalysed by initiatives, including Cenex and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), which aim to assist UK industry to foster the knowledge and know how to exploit the business opportunities that will be created as the low carbon economy develops.
Energy security represents a third important reason to develop and deploy low carbon and fuel cell vehicles, as energy security can be enhanced by lowering energy needs from the transport sector and increasing the diversity of sources of fuel being consumed by the transport sector. Current energy policy recognises the important role that can be played by fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen, capable of being generated using renewable energy sources.
Q: When and how was Cenex established?
A: Cenex was established in April 2005. Following on from the AIGT recommendation for the creation of a Centre of Excellence, the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) invited the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership to develop the business case for the centre. Members of the partnership played an active role in defining the potential aims, objectives and priorities for the centre, as well as advising on a suitable structure. In September 2004, a Launch Director and Steering group were appointed to oversee the centre's creation. In March 2005, the first Cenex member's meeting took place and a Board of Directors was appointed. A CEO and independent Chairman have subsequently been recruited, with the CEO in post from 1st December 2005.
Q: Won't Cenex repeat work done by other organisations?
A: No. Cenex is designed to act as a hub, bringing the UK's low carbon and fuel cell technology developers and their target customers closer together. It aims to complement and support these organisations rather than compete with them.
Q: What are the objectives of Cenex?
A: The key objectives of Cenex are:
To map current and emerging technologies in the low carbon and fuel cell markets and identify and communicate those which may influence the future direction of the industry.
To mobilise or otherwise construct an effective UK supply chain by coordinating the activities of academia, component suppliers, assemblers, vehicle manufacturers and other intermediaries.
To be a flagship organisation for the promotion of UK activities on low carbon and fuel cell technologies and to act as the focus for projects requiring international cooperation.
To influence the creation and deployment of fleet-scale demonstrators in the UK passenger vehicle, public transport and commercial vehicle sectors.
To facilitate affordable market entry strategies for low carbon and fuel cell technologies by direct intervention with public and private sector procurement bodies.
Q: How does Cenex plan to achieve its objectives?
A: Cenex aims to achieve its objectives using a two pronged strategy.
Cenex is developing a Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) dedicated to low carbon and fuel cell technologies. The KTN will enhance knowledge transfer between UK and international organisations to promote innovation in this strategically important sector.
Cenex will also help create a programme of activities to promote low carbon and fuel cell vehicle development and demonstration. These activities will create a market pull for the relevant technologies that will in turn support supply chains incorporating UK-developed technologies and UK-based suppliers.
Q: What is the Knowledge Transfer Network?
A:
A Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is a communication and knowledge management tool designed to promote communication and knowledge transfer between the many organisations with an interest in low carbon and fuel cell technologies. It will provides these organisations with access to accurate and up-to-date information on technological and market developments, disseminated through a single web-based portal. In addition, it supports knowledge transfer within and between the networks engaged in relevant technology development, using community-based activities including workshops and seminars.
In order to maximise the effectiveness of the KTN, Cenex is working with partners from the relevant communities active in the UK. These partners include SMMT Foresight Vehicle, for the communities developing low carbon automotive technologies; and Fuel Cell Today and Fuel Cells UK for the fuel cells sector.
Q: What kind of activities will Cenex undertake to promote low carbon and fuel cell technology?
A: Cenex intends to work with UK supply chain to bring forward low carbon and fuel cell demonstrator vehicles for public procurement initiatives. By showcasing these UK technologies in real-world applications, Cenex will aid the early market development of low carbon and fuel cell vehicles. As an example, Cenex is developing a low carbon van exemplar project on behalf of the Environmental Innovation and Growth (EIG) Team.
Q: How is Cenex constituted?
A: Cenex is UK government funded but industry-led. Cenex has a small management team, reporting to a Board constituted from representatives from a core group of member organisations.
Q: Who are the members of Cenex?
A: The current members of Cenex represent a broad section of UK industry interested in low carbon and fuel cell technologies. The member companies include:
Air Products
Caterpillar
Intelligent Energy
Johnson Matthey
Millbrook
MIRA
Ricardo Consulting Engineers
TRW Conekt
These are, in turn, supported by industry bodies including:
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
UK Petroleum Industries Association (UKPIA)
Board members of Cenex include Air Products, Caterpillar, the Department for Trade and Industry, Johnson Matthey, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, Millbrook, MIRA, Ricardo, SMMT and TRW Conekt.
Q: What is the government involvement?
A:
Cenex is a Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) funded initiative. The involvement of BERR representatives on the Board of Cenex means that BERR is directly involved in the decisions and running of Cenex. BERR has committed funding for Cenex for five years.
Q: Who are the other stakeholders?
A: Cenex aims to work with the regional development agencies (RDAs), public and private sector vehicle operators, UK academia (research community) and the UK automotive supply chain to support the demonstration of low carbon and fuel cell technologies and vehicles.
Q: Where is Cenex located?
A: Cenex is based on the Loughborough University campus. However, Cenex employs a "hub & spoke" model, with its activities connecting organisations across the UK.
Q: How is Cenex staffed?
A:
Cenex has a small core staff of full and part-time employees, complimented by associates and specialist consultants.
Q: Can my organisation get involved?
A: Cenex is keen to work with as wide a range of UK-based organisations interested in low carbon and fuel cell technologies. Please contact us for more information.
