Williams’ burgeoning credentials as a leader in the energy efficiency field were bolstered further last night after winning the Pioneer Award at the 2014 British Renewable Energy Awards, the most prestigious event in the UK renewable energy industry calendar.
The Awards were held at London’s Savoy hotel and recognise and celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals who have done something amazing in renewables over the past year. The Pioneer Award is designed to honour an organisation that is traditionally outside of the sustainable energy industry but has pioneered the use of renewable fuels, heat or power.
Williams Advanced Engineering is the engineering services and technology business of the Williams group of companies that includes the world famous WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING Formula One team. Williams Advanced Engineering won the Pioneer Award for its work in taking flywheel energy storage technology, first developed for Williams’ 2009 Formula One car, and bringing it to market in the renewables and transport sectors.
A particular case study of interest to the judging panel was a project backed by the UK government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change which is seeing this flywheel technology installed on two microgrids in the Scottish highlands to help stabilise their power grids, improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions from non-renewable power sources.
Commenting on the award success Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said;
“Flywheel energy storage technology really kick started Williams’ diversification programme beyond motor racing and has set the scene for Williams Advanced Engineering’s subsequent expansion into other forms of energy efficient technology. The fact that in less than five years a technology first developed for a racing car is now being installed on a renewable microgrid is testament to the ability we have to accelerate technical innovations that help address important issues such as global warming. It’s is a real honour to be acknowledged for our R&D work in energy efficiency at such a prestigious awards ceremony.”
Source; Williams Advanced Engineering
