The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) drives innovation through the organisation and sponorship of various competition programmes.

Ultra-efficient lighting for homes

The Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are launching a £1.2m Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) initiative to fund development work on ultra-efficient lighting (UEL) for the domestic environment. The rise in energy prices and the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is leading to an increasing public awareness of energy and environmental sustainability.

The aim of this competition is to develop capability within the UK to supply high-quality directional and non-directional lighting for the home that is exceptionally efficient, whilst providing a medium-term payback of costs in real terms.

To download the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Ultra Effiecnt Lighting brief click here

Energy efficient Whitehall

TSB are launching a SBRI to retrofit government buildings in London so they are more energy efficient and have lower carbon dioxide emissions.

The Government aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions from its office-based estate by 12.5% by 2010/11, and by 30% by 2020.

This competition is jointly funded by the Technology Strategy Board (£1m) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (£1.75m), with support and resourcing from the Office of Government Commerce.

The competition is open to all companies, including the facilities managers, owners and landlords of the target Whitehall buildings, as well as companies from inside and outside of the construction industry.

There are four Whitehall buildings which will act as hosts for the successful demonstration projects:

• Department for Business Innovation and Skills, 1 Victoria St
• Department of Energy and Climate Change, 3 Whitehall Place
• Department of Communities and Local Government, Eland House, Bressenden Place
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street.

Although there is no limit on the size or type of company applying into this competition, applications that enable small companies to participate within the supply chain are particularly welcome.

We will be offering 100% funding for each proposal we accept delivered through the new SBRI cross-government initiative for the procurement of technology projects.

To download the Energy Efficient Whitehall click here