Aston University Low Carbon SMEs programme has supported 50 SMEs in the Birmingham and Solihull area in cutting their carbon emissions, and ultimately saving energy costs. Many of these businesses are Made in the Midlands members.
The Carbon savings to date from the Diagnostic support is over 600 tonnes and is expected to exceed 1,000 tonnes in the near future. On average Low, Carbon SMEs have achieved a Carbon Saving of 20% with the Free Diagnostic support offered to SMEs in the region.
There is additional grant support offered by Low Carbon SMEs. This has achieved a total investment of over £365K in energy efficiency measures, including variable speed compressor, voltage optimisation system, conveyor belt dryer and more. The project is “no ordinary energy advice service”; Low Carbon offers free, expert energy efficiency support and advice to SMEs to transform businesses for a sustainable future. In addition, the project
supports further energy and resource efficiency projects in collaboration with the academic
expertise at Aston University.
To do this, the Low Carbon SMEs business engagement managers collect data through a site survey and combine observations with their energy bills. The resulting data analysis demonstrates the potential for a range of carbon saving measures, some of which are at zero or low cost to the business. Many SMEs implement these cost-saving tactics immediately and realise savings within a year. The total accumulated carbon footprint of all companies on the programme is over 14,000 tonnes which is around twice the size of Aston University’s. One business won the runner up award at 2019 Make UK Manufacturing Awards after introducing measures identified by Low Carbon SMEs team.
Talking about why the project was started Prasanta Dey, Project Director at Low Carbon SMEs at Aston University, said:
“The sector we predominantly work with is manufacturing because they tend to have the highest energy costs. The project was started to reduce carbon footprint and help companies innovate by introducing better working environments that lead to business growth as shown in our recent research.
We are at a stage now where it could be hazardous for everyone on the planet if carbon emissions are not massively reduced. It is also giving the manufacturing sector an opportunity for a free diagnostic report and then allowing them to apply for funding. On top of this, they will be saving money which could ultimately lead to new investments.”
Low Carbon SME is a free service that brings together the best academic minds with industrial expertise, and a solid understanding of the low carbon drivers that impact on SME businesses in our region. A result is a holistic approach to energy efficiency that will generate higher productivity and increased net profit.
We have successfully delivered the programme in the GBSLEP and applied for an extension to support more SMEs in the area. We are operational in the Black Country. Much of the work can be carried out remotely by the Low Carbon SMEs team and therefore even in these difficult times, progress can be made in reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint.
If you are an SME in the Black Country, interested in improving your energy efficiency and reducing business cost, please contact the team at smelowcarbon@aston.ac.uk and one of our advisors will be in touch.
For further information, please visit- www.smelowcarbon.co.uk.
This project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund
