Pulse Tidal Presents at the Carbon Trust Investor Forum

A recent article from the Sheffield Star : Original Article

By Bob Rae
Two clean-technology companies from Sheffield have been given a rare opportunity to speak with potential investors from home and abroad at a prestigious forum arranged by the Carbon Trust.

Hi-tech lighting business Seren Photonics and energy company Pulse Tidal were among a select few of Britain's leading edge green companies invited to attend the Carbon Trust Clean Tech Investor Forum.

Seren, based at The Sheffield Bioincubator, is a spin out from Sheffield University and has developed a revolutionary process for producing low cost ultra high efficiency, white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). For years, white LEDs were the "Holy Grail" of the electronics world.

Now, Sheffield University scientist Dr Tao Wang has succeeded in developing a novel procedure that combines low cost, mass produced blue High Brightness LED (HBLED) technology, nano-science and organic materials to create a white HBLED whose performance is superior to current state-of-the-art products. Seren's HBLEDs could replace incandescent bulbs in domestic and architectural applications, what's more, they could also be used as back lighting for laptop computers and TVs, and in signs and displays.

Pulse, based at Electric Works in Sheffield city centre, is at the forefront of developing ways of generating electricity from tides and is working on developing the world's first commercial shallow water tidal energy system close to the shore at Kyle Rhea, the narrow, fast-flowing straits between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Mainland.

The Sheffield firm has already demonstrated that its system works in the Humber. It says a single Pulse device - which sits below the waves - could generate 1.2MW at Kyle Rhea and an array of devices would have the potential to generate 20MW.

Pulse has already received an €8 million EU grant to develop its first commercial generator and has begun a year-long environmental study ahead of an application to Marine Scotland for a licence to start producing renewable electricity at Kyle Rhea in 2012.

Bob Smith, chief executive of Pulse Tidal said: "Additional private sector investment in our company and indeed the UK clean-tech sector as a whole is vital if the UK is to realise the full benefits of a low-carbon economy: skilled jobs, UK exports plus the added value of carbon emission reduction.

"The Carbon Trust Investor Forum was a fantastic opportunity for Pulse Tidal to highlight its achievements so far but more importantly to attract much-needed investment."

Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay said: "The UK has some of the brightest and most exciting low-carbon technologies anywhere in the world, but many of them are early stage start-up companies and need the vital private sector finance and management know-how to succeed on a long-term basis.

"The Carbon Trust has provided a range of support to dozens of clean-tech firms across the UK, but private investment is crucial for these companies to succeed in the global market. We see the Carbon Trust Investor Forum as a valuable bridge between the clean tech companies and private capital."