Case Studies

Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) has opened the UK’s first combined geothermal power plant and lithium‑extraction facility at United Downs in Cornwall.

Botanic Energy has developed a solid-state cooling system for delivery fleets that uses thermoelectric semiconductor technology instead of traditional compressors and refrigerants, making it around 30% more energy efficient. Particularly beneficial for electric vehicles, the system can help increase range and reduce charging needs. Support from the Technology Development Accelerator Programme (TDAP) helped Botanic Energy validate the market, refine its business model, and secure funding to build demonstrator vehicles as it moves towards commercialisation and scaled production.

Anaphite, a Bristol-based start-up, has developed a solvent-free dry coating process for manufacturing lithium-ion battery electrodes—marking a major shift from the 40-year-old industry standard that depends on wet inks, solvents, and energy-intensive drying ovens. With support from the Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP), the company received grant funding and strategic guidance that enabled it to raise £10.4 million in 2024, double its workforce, and expand its facilities.

Intelligent Energy and their consortium partners have developed hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology, centred on an evaporatively cooled fuel cell system, with support from APC UK and the Department for Business and Trade.[

Hear from Minister for Industry Chris McDonald MP on how DRIVE35 and CAM Pathfinder programmes support innovation, attract global investment, and protect high-value manufacturing jobs in the automotive and mobility sectors across the UK.

The Leyland Trucks factory is now capable of producing 30 battery electric trucks every day. This is the result of ZETTA, a £5.1 million project with a £2.6 million government grant funded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), and developed by a consortium of Leyland Trucks, Expert Technologies Group and HSSMI.

Currently, the UK and Europe lack an indigenous lithium supply, making domestic production strategically vital. The UK government’s Critical Minerals Strategy targets 50,000 tonnes of lithium annually by 2035. Cornish Lithium aims to contribute significantly, projecting 20,000 tonnes per year from 2029 onward.

Project Brunel, a collaborative project led by Cummins and supported by PHINIA, Johnson Matthey Plc and Zircotec Limited, was designed to accelerate hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) development in the UK.

Project e-Motif, a collaborative R&D project led by Shield Engineering and supported by EMPEL Systems, PUNCH Flybrid and PFS Manufacturing, was designed to anchor high-tech, low-carbon automotive technology in the UK, through development and manufacturing capabilities. The project had a total value of £11.2 million, with £5.6 million funded through the APC.

Led by Motion Applied (formerly McLaren Applied), the ESCAPE project has brought together a consortium of twelve partners representing universities, research organisations, SMEs, manufacturers and Tier 1 automotive suppliers to develop an end-to-end supply chain for silicon carbide (SiC) production, specifically targeting the high-performance sector.