EU funding will help launch a £3.5 million project to pilot new low-carbon technologies and energy-storage products, Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford announced.

The Smart Energy Storage Solutions Hub (SESS) scheme, led by the University of South Wales (USW), will work with businesses to drive innovation and develop new products, technologies and processes for the commercial market.

The hub, based at the university’s state-of-the-art Centre for Automotive and Power Systems Engineering (CAPSE), will benefit from £2.3 million of EU funding to collaborate with businesses in sectors such as low carbon, energy and environment, advanced manufacturing and ICT.

The remainder of the funding will come from the university and industrial partners involved in the project.

Professor Drakeford said:

“We are committed to driving forward cutting-edge research in the low-carbon economy and collaboration between business and universities will help us achieve this. “Reducing our carbon footprint is a key priority of the Welsh Government, helping Wales to realise its energy-efficiency potential and to become a major exporter of energy efficiency technology and know-how.”

Businesses will have access to the university’s specialist research facilities and academic expertise to help develop new products and processes, including in the automotive and energy fields.

Professor Julie Lydon, USW vice-chancellor, said: