Local innovators challenged to reduce carbon emissions across Sunderland

Sunderland City Council is collaborating with the national Digital Catapult to launch the £10,000 Carbon Neutral Challenge and reduce carbon emissions across Sunderland.

The challenge invites innovative startups and medium sized businesses to develop solutions which will help reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions from buildings across the locality.

Applications are now open to businesses from across the country, and the partners are looking for innovative companies using advanced digital technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) – and who have experience in working with utility companies and local councils.

Proposed solutions should gather and analyse data in real-time to help the Council take corrective and proactive actions to reduce the carbon impact of its real estate across Sunderland.

Working closely with the Council’s Low Carbon Team, and technology experts from Digital Catapult, the winner of this challenge will receive £10,000 to develop a proof of concept over three months, with the goal to trial the solution at a location in the city.

Naomi Hutchinson, Head of Innovation at Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley, said:
“We’ve partnered with Sunderland City Council to contribute towards hitting ambitious climate targets by tackling the challenges head on with cutting edge technology solutions.”

“We know there are lots of incredible organisations across the North East, Tees Valley and beyond that have developed or are already using smart buildings or green technology solutions that can help solve this challenge. We’d love to hear from them and look forward to seeing the results of the challenge.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said:
“Sunderland City Council has set out ambitious targets to be carbon neutral by 2030, and is working with partners across Sunderland for the city to be carbon neutral by 2040. We also have an ambitious Smart City agenda which is already starting to deliver real benefits with early use cases ranging from primary school classrooms to advanced manufacturing. This Carbon Neutral Challenge brings together these two key priorities. The Council has partnered with the Digital Catapult on a range of innovation initiatives since the regional centre was first set up and we will be announcing another challenge to address carbon emissions in the transport sector later this year. ”

Applications are now open and will close on 09 July 2021. For further information and to apply click here.