Seamless Sensing is the first business in Leicestershire to receive funding through the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet).
Seamless Sensing has developed a wireless smart energy management system that allows businesses to monitor energy consumption and reduce energy costs. The system itself uses individual sensor modules so that the energy consumption of individual pieces of equipment can be monitored second-by-second – even light bulbs – without the need for any technical or dedicated expertise or personnel. The modules, which are a little larger than a mobile phone, transfer live information to an online web account. Reports can then be sent email, text or viewed online so that organisations can see where they are losing money through inefficient or energy intensive equipment.
Dr Edward Mellor is the founder and director of the company that is based at the Loughborough Innovation Centre. His background is in wireless systems and he was keen to develop wireless technology to reduce energy consumption in the commercial sector. He said: “Energy monitoring systems have been developed by other companies before, but they were difficult to configure. This system is innovative in that it self-adjusts and you don’t need specialist skills or a software engineer to make it work. Even the website is designed with a drag and drop display so each user can customise what information they choose to see.”
Dr Mellor explained why Seamless Sensing approached the iNet: “For the past two years, we have concentrated on product development and our prototype should be finished by the end of September. As we are almost at the point where we are ready to take the product to market, we need some specialist advice. The £7,500 Innovation Support Grant will go towards helping us identify target markets and then develop a marketing strategy. After that we will be in a position to approach manufacturers and distributors to go into full production.”
Paul Cartwright, Business Adviser for the Sustainable Construction iNet, has been working with Seamless Sensing to secure the funding. He said: “When Seamless Sensing demonstrated the product to us, we were very impressed with the obvious benefits that this device offers to businesses.
“The Sustainable Construction iNet is here to support all companies based in Leicestershire, that supply products and services to the construction sector.”
To qualify for an Innovation Support Grant, the applicant must be based in the East Midlands and operating commercially in construction or an associated industry sector such as mining, quarrying, waste management, energy or water supply. They must also require technical or consultancy assistance for their idea, product or process and expect to protect or create jobs as a result.
The Sustainable Construction iNet is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim of the iNet is to share expertise and stimulate the research and development of new products, services and processes.
Businesses wanting to find out more about the Sustainable Construction iNet and the grants available should telephone 01604 892836 or visit www.eminnovation.org.uk.
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Issued on behalf of the Sustainable Construction iNet by Lava. For further information contact Matt or Lindsey at Lava on 01522 842 800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk / lindsey@lavapr.co.uk
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Notes to editors
About East Midlands Innovation
• East Midlands Innovation is the Regional Science and Industry Council which was established in 2005 by emda.
• East Midlands Innovation’s principle responsibility is to take the lead for emda in implementing the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan for the East Midlands with the aim to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy.
About emda
• East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.
• Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘A Flourishing Region’, which sets out regional priorities until 2020.
• The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’.
• In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced emda had received the highest possible grade of ‘performing strongly’ in an independent assessment of our work – scoring 22 out of 24.
• www.emda.org.uk
About ERDF
The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development.
The ERDF objectives for England are:
• Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
• Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
• Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
• Building sustainable communities
• Improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only – as part of their Convergence Programme).
A Programme Monitoring Committee consisting of regional stakeholders such as Government Offices, RDAs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Sub-regional Partnerships, Higher Education Institutions, Trade Unions, and the private and voluntary sectors will monitor and oversee programme implementation in each region.
For more information on ERDF funding generally, please visit www.erdf.communities.gov.uk or http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funds/feder/index_en.htm
About ERDF in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is eligible for 268.5m Euros between 2007 and 2013, which, when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately £420m – a significant investment in the economic development of the region.
The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.’
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region’s 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for the ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to emda following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams. The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.
A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with emda.
To find out more about ERDF, the region’s strategy for delivering the funds, how to apply for funding and how the programme is managed, please visit www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk
