5 February 2008
Dundee based business with big idea for tackling climate change shortlisted for £40,000 prize
A Dundee based business with a big idea for tackling climate change has been shortlisted to win a Shell Springboard award of up to £40,000. The shortlist of six announced today has been drawn from entries from across the North region.
Oxy-Gen Combustion Ltd, a start-up company from the University of Dundee, is developing an ultra low emissions motor engine which will be up to 25% more efficient and will reduce CO2 emissions by a similar amount.
The company behind the technology, known as Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), believes it is the stepping stone between present motor engines and the awaited hydrogen and fuel cell technologies of the future.
David Tonery, Director of Oxy-Gen Combustion Ltd explains, " An HCCI engine can provide up to 20-25% increased efficiency with similar reductions in CO2 and fuel consumption. Being shortlisted for a Shell Springboard award is a great endorsement of the work we're doing."
Oxy-Gen Combustion's current target markets for HCCI are heavy duty/goods vehicles, passenger vehicles, marine applications, off highway vehicles and power generation with scope to penetrate further into other markets over the following years.
Oxy-Gen Combustion Ltd will compete against five businesses from across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England on the 12th of February 2008 in Edinburgh.
Shell Springboard provides a financial boost to a small number of UK businesses that submit the most compelling plan for a product or service which:
- Will lead to greenhouse gas reductions
- Is commercially viable, and
- Is innovative
Last year awards of £40,000 were made to eight businesses drawn from across the UK.
Judging of the six regional finalists will be carried out by a panel of independent experts who are looking for ideas that not only have the potential to break new ground but have sound financial planning and market insight.
Up to two businesses from each of three regions (see notes to editors) will meet a national panel of judges, as they compete to be named as the UK winner at the UK final on March 4th 2008.
The Shell Springboard programme hopes to encourage small and medium sized businesses to see that climate change is a huge opportunity.
James Smith, chairman of Shell UK, said: "Shell Springboard can offer small businesses a great helping hand to tap into the expanding market for products that tackle climate change."
For further information please contact Jonathan Kennedy at Wave PR Ltd on 0141-303-8390 or visit www.shellspringboard.org.
Notes to editors
- Up to 6 awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 are on offer in each of 3 UK regions:
* North - Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England
* Central - central England and Wales
* South - southern England and East Anglia
- The number and quality of entries will determine the number of awards given. Each region has a maximum number of awards it can give, but no minimum. Last year there were eight awards made.
- Shell Springboard aims to be a catalyst for those people who through innovative ideas and businesses are trying to seize the commercial opportunities presented by climate change. Shell believes that is through encouraging and harnessing the energy of business that society will make the faster progress in tackling climate change.
- Shell Springboard is part of Shell's Social Investment activities in the UK. Other programmes include Shell Livewire, Shell Step and Shell Education Service. For further information, visit www.shell.co.uk/socialinvestment
* The Shell Education Service seeks to inspire tens of thousands of children each year, encouraging them to explore and question science through hands-on investigations. A programme of workshops reaches some 50,000 children as expert workshop leaders travel to 600 primary schools across the country each year.
* Shell Livewire's mission is to help unearth and support the young entrepreneurs of today who will create the jobs, wealth and innovations of tomorrow. Shell Livewire do this through marrying peer to peer inspiration and encouragement with practical nuts and bolts help that can only come from business people who understand the challenges of building a business.
* Shell Step is a direct response to the challenge that faces tens of thousands of UK graduates when they move from the world of study into employment. The programme gives hundreds of students each year relevant and meaningful experience of the world of work and is the UK's leading creator of tailored placements for students in small and medium-sized businesses.
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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