Sustainability experts from three UK universities and a British delegation of Nottingham and East Midlands businesses will meet Chinese counterparts this weekend to share technological expertise that could help reconstruct building practices in China — where buildings account for half of the country’s CO2 emissions.
China’s construction industry is booming. This vast nation has some of the world’s largest and fastest-growing cities. Chinese planners and construction firms want to learn from international research in order to harness the potential of low-carbon building materials and practices and consume less energy.
In Shanghai, at Expo 2010 this Saturday and Sunday, experts from The University of Nottingham’s Institute of Sustainable Energy Technology (ISET), in collaboration with Nottingham City Council and East Midlands Development Agency (emda), will host a specialist seminar programme to introduce small- and medium-sized British firms to environmental technology and construction businesses from across China.
A group of 20 business people from Nottingham — including architects, property professionals and engineers — are travelling to Shanghai Expo with Alan Clark and John Connelly from Nottingham City Council, and former MP Alan Simpson.
The weekend’s event aims to provide new opportunities for businesses in England’s Midlands to access the growing Chinese market in low carbon technologies and sustainable construction. It will promote British and Chinese industry collaboration and encourage education and training in sustainable energy and construction.
Professor Saffa Riffat, organiser of Sustainable Energy and Construction 2010: Homes Without Carbon, President of the World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies and Head of ISET at Nottingham, said: “Mass urbanisation is one of the greatest challenges faced by the world today. Cities are being built at a phenomenal rate, and in China rural to urban migration currently runs at 15 million people per year.
“This can lead to social instability, undermining the capacity of cities to be environmentally sustainable and economically successful. There is a need for a new model of sustainability, including greater incentives to save energy, reduce consumption and protect the environment. Collaboration between the UK and China is important to address these issues.”
Welcome addresses for this event will be given by Richard Mills, Head of the Science and Innovation Network at the British Consulate General in Shanghai, an event co-sponsor; and Nottingham City Councillor Alan Clark, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration.
Nottingham City Councillor Alan Clark, who is leading the visit, said: “This is a very exciting and unique opportunity for Nottingham to present its knowledge and expertise to leading businesses and city governments at such a high profile event. Nottingham’s strong reputation in China as a leading centre for science and technology recently led one of its fastest growing car manufacturers to locate their R&D centre here.
“We are very excited about the possibility of even more Chinese high tech businesses choosing to locate in Nottingham, creating jobs and growth in this fast expanding sector. Nearly 100 Chinese representatives will attend our Shanghai event and we are confident Nottingham’s offer will attract significant interest.”
Romax Technology is one global company joining the Nottingham delegation. Established by Dr Peter Poon two decades ago in Nottingham, it is now engaged in sustainable energy engineering and has a base in China. Business Development Director and China Executive Director of Romax, Dr Xiaobing Hu, will be there.
The University of Nottingham’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Knowledge Transfer and Business Engagement Professor Chris Rudd, who leads the University’s presence at Shanghai Expo said: “Our presence at Shanghai Expo 2010 has catalysed many new partnership opportunities which we hope will improve lives and livelihoods for millions worldwide.
“Our research continues to advance the Sino-UK ‘Sustainable Cities’ initiative signed by the UK and Chinese Governments in January 2008. Our recent breakthroughs in low-carbon building design, sustainable energy technologies and carbon capture and storage will contribute to solving acute global challenges.”
Jason Feehily, Head of emda’s East Midlands China Business Bureau, said: “Universities and businesses in England’s East Midlands have been at the forefront of the development of low carbon technologies.
“I hope that as a result of these seminars and the Shanghai World Expo 2010, we will establish new commercial partnerships between Chinese and East Midlands businesses, which will make use of world class technologies and research in sustainable energy and construction, benefiting companies in both our countries.”
The Chengxin Group, China, is a co-sponsor of the event. This Shanghai-based company is active in low carbon buildings and energy saving systems and is currently working on several projects in this area. Its Founder and Managing Director Lu Wenchun is a Director of China Entrepreneur Council, on the Board of Directors of Central Committee of Youth League, Vice Chairman of Entrepreneur Union of Fujian Province, and Vice Chairman of the Chambers of Commerce, Fujian Province.
The seminar talks will cover energy saving; building-integrated renewable energy systems; sustainable construction materials; environmental design; and waste management. Other themes include low-energy homes (showcasing Solar Decathlon 2010 challenger the Nottingham H.O.U.S.E); energy efficient systems like combined heat and power (CHP), heat pumps and fuel cells; photovoltaics; and solar thermal systems.
As well as Professor Saffa Riffat, expert speakers will include Professor Jo Darkwa, Director of CSET, the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies at The University of Nottingham’s Ningbo Campus in China; Co-Director of ISET Dr Mark Gillott; Professor Kevin Kendall, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham and Director of the Birmingham Fuel Cells Group; and AbuBakr Bahaj, Professor in Sustainable Energy at the University of Southampton, who will present a talk on photovoltaics in buildings.
Joining them will be Chen Shuo, Director of ZEDfactory in China. The event takes place in The Auditorium at London ZEDpavilion, an example of urban best practice, designed and built by leading green architects ZEDfactory. Part of the Zero Carbon Living Space zone at Shanghai Expo 2010, it was chosen after winning the international design competition in this category.
Another speaker will be former Nottingham Member of Parliament Alan Simpson, the driving force behind the UK government introducing ‘Feed-in Tariffs’ in the Energy Act 2008 and a special advisor on renewable energy. Alan spent 18 years in Parliament and received numerous environmental awards. He is the only MP to have converted a derelict property into his own eco-home.
Other speakers include architect Julian Marsh, partner in Marsh:Grochowski Architects LLP, a leading regional UK practice based in Nottingham working in the arts and developing a low energy architecture, and Peter Walden, Director of environmental and energy performance consultancy Carbonlow Ltd.
The University of Nottingham’s world changing research based on the theme ‘Zero Carbon, Zero Waste’ is on display at the Shanghai World Exposition 2010 until October 31. Millions of visitors are expected to visit the Expo and many will have an opportunity to explore — through words, pictures and video — The University of Nottingham’s leading research in sustainability as part of a collaborative exhibition with ZEDfactory.
The University is also partnering with the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) helping to attract Chinese investment to the East Midlands through the work of emda’s East Midlands China Business Bureau. Last month, emda announced that the Chinese car manufacturer, Chang’an Automobile Co, will establish its UK Research and Development facility at No 1 Nottingham Science Park, creating up to 200 new jobs.
The University of Nottingham’s dynamic internationalisation strategy attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations, undertakes world-changing research, and invests in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia.
As the first overseas academic institution granted permission to set up inside the People’s Republic, Nottingham has taken a pioneering role in China. Since 2004, The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, has grown to more than 4,000 students and has received numerous awards and accolades. It was also declared Outward Investor of the Year by the foremost China-Britain trade association, the 48 Group Club.
For more information, visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk